Le Passage Jouffroy, the covered arcade that housed Paris's first fast-food restaurant.

The Passage Jouffroy is, without a doubt, one of Paris’s most beautiful covered passages. But it’s also a place steeped in offbeat histories. Built in 1846, it stands out not only for its unique architecture but also for a few astonishing anecdotes. Here you’ll find traces of Paris’s very first fast-food joint and the mysterious tale of a gold ingot. We’re sharing the secrets of this iconic passage!

The passage stands out as one of Paris’s first extensive showcases of metal and glass architecture. Opened in 1846, it embodies the era’s technical leaps, notably its glass roof that floods the entire passage with natural light. The site has since become a blueprint for the city’s other covered passages, marrying elegance with modernity and keeping visitors dry as they stroll.

What’s this gold bar story all about?

In 1851, a company dubbed the Gold Bars Society bursts onto the scene by staging a lottery whose grand prize is a gold bar on display in a shop window along the passage. The bar, valued at 400,000 francs, draws a large crowd. Yet the lottery turns out to be a sham. The bar is never handed to a winner, and the episode remains one of the scandals tied to the passage.

The aim was to finance sending Parisian jobless people to California during the gold rush, but the results fell far short of the promises... This caricature of the failed lottery captures a comic moment: a newly arrived bourgeois family in California watches their servants desert them to dash toward the gold mines. The scene vividly reflects the era’s collective fever, as everyone dreamed of striking it rich.

Did Paris' first fast-food joint really start up here?

Yes, and it’s one of the passage’s curiosities. After the famous gold-bar company went bankrupt, the shop was transformed in 1853 into a Buffet Américain, the ancestor of fast-food eateries. This concept, imported from the United States, where customers eat standing up, quickly, simple dishes served at a counter.

This form of fast food was completely new to Paris at the time. It foreshadowed the fast-food culture as we know it today, and Passage Jouffroy preserves the memory of the first such establishment there.

What shops can be found in this passage?

The passageway is also renowned for its unique and historic boutiques. For example, the Galerie Segas, opened in 1975, specializes in selling collectible canes. There you’ll find rare pieces crafted from luxurious materials such as precious wood, ivory, or mother-of-pearl.

There is also Pain d’Epices, a traditional toy shop that evokes childhood with its dollhouses and wooden hobby horses. Finally, for antique enthusiasts, the Maison du Roy offers a selection of eighteenth-century decorative objects.

What is this hotel tucked away at the far end of the passage?

Located in the heart of the Passage Jouffroy, theHôtel Chopin immediately catches the eye. Its wooden façade, listed as a Monument Historique, transports us to another era. Its name echoes one of the most emblematic artists of 19th-century Romanticism. This historic landmark is one of the oldest hotels in Paris, and a great place to visit on a stroll through the capital's covered passageways.

Has this passage served as a backdrop for films?

The Passage Jouffroy is a favorite among filmmakers. Several films have been shot there, including "The Tourist" (2010) with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. In 2016, it was "Adopte un veuf" with André Dussollier that used the passage as a backdrop. Its timeless beauty and its ambiance, both historic and Parisian, make it an ideal setting for cinema.

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What role does the Grévin Museum play in this moment?

The Musée Grévin, opened in 1885, plays a central role in the reputation of the Passage Jouffroy. This museum of wax statues, located at one of the passage's exits, attracts many visitors who take the opportunity to explore the surrounding stores. Its presence helps to maintain the liveliness and charm of this passageway over the decades.

How to reach the Passage Jouffroy?

Passage Jouffroy has two main entrances. The first is at 10-12 boulevard Montmartre, close to the Musée Grévin. The second entrance is at 13 rue de la Grange-Batelière, offering a more discreet but equally charming alternative. To get there by public transport, the nearest metro stations are Grands Boulevards (lines 8 and 9) and Richelieu-Drouot (line 8), providing easy access from all corners of Paris.

In short, why not take a stroll through the Passage Jouffroy and discover its treasures? It's a witness to fascinating stories, scandals and innovations that have left their mark on the city. It's a place where you can stroll, discover exceptional boutiques, and perhaps recall that, under this glass roof, a (fake) gold ingot once made thousands of Parisians dream!

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