Passage Briare

Did Mr. Briare ever imagine his name would grace such a unique Parisian passage? Passage Briare, tucked away in the 9th arrondissement, is a world apart from the grand boulevards. It’s a slender thread in the city’s fabric, a mere 1.8 meters wide. This narrow passage, stretching about 120 meters, connects Rue Marguerite-de-Rochechouart to Rue de Maubeuge. Passage Briare owes its name to the original landowner, Mr. Briare, whose property facilitated its creation in 1865. Originally, it was a shorter path called “Impasse Briare”, running from Rue de Rochechouart to Rue Rodier. The creation of Rue de Maubeuge in 1867 truncated a portion of the original impasse, giving Passage Briare its current form. Imagine Paris in the 19th century. This seemingly quiet passage held a secret: it was a haven for the city’s underbelly. Brigands from Pigalle and the slopes of Montmartre sought refuge within its narrow walls. Here, they exchanged stolen goods and plotted their next moves, shrouded in the shadows of the gas lamps. Those very gas lamps, now faithfully reproduced, stand as a reminder of this intriguing past. They were initially installed in 1865, not just to illuminate the passage but also to deter the nocturnal activities that took place within. They contribute to Paris’s reputation as the “City of Lights”. Today, Passage Briare invites you to step back in time. As you walk between the closely set walls, consider the whispers of its history. From a refuge for brigands to a charming pedestrian walkway, Passage Briare offers a glimpse into a hidden facet of Parisian life.