Photographer Robert Doisneau loved Paris’ covered passages, saying “Have you ever been seen the covered passages in December? There’s a light there that is different from that of the city, a sound that is completely different. You can hear the sound of footsteps on the mosaics. The people seem a little different too, different form those who live in the harsh light…”…

From 1976 – 1980, Robert Doisneau took numerous photos of Paris’ covered passages; passage Verdeau, passage du Caire, passage Choiseul, passage Jouffroy, passage des Panoramas, galerie Vivienne, galerie Véro-Dodat… Over a four year period, he explored these places of “unusual light” (Aragon), places for gentle walks and shopping, places of iron and glass architecture that sprung up and became popular in the second quarter of the 19th century.

In 1981, Doisneau published these photographs in a book entitled “Passages and galleries of the 19th century. The Parisian pedestrian.” Thanks to his daughters and the Passages & Galeries association, 30 of these photos are now on show at the Monnaie de Paris.

(Perhaps you remember, we also told you about the passages on the Grands Boulevards in an article here on the blog).

The Robert Doisneau exhibition about the passages of Paris is at the Monnaie de Paris (here) from 12th December 2009 – 15th January 2010.

Open weekday from 11am – 5.30pm and the weekend from midday – 5.30pm. Entrance free.