Passage Verdeau walks

From Place de l'Opéra to Les Halles, via the Church of Notre-Dame de Lorette and the Palais Royal Gardens, this urban trail explores the1st,2nd and9th arrondissements of Paris in search of animal representations.

A journey through Haussmannian Paris, discovering the architecture of the second half of the 19th century, with a detour to Parc Monceau and a few sites celebrating Franco-American friendship.

The ninth arrondissement of Paris is distinguished by its lively and central character. It has historical links to the world of entertainment, with numerous theatres, cinemas and concert halls. As a shopping district, it is home to department stores, boutiques and iconic covered arcades. It blends Haussmann-style architecture with more recent buildings, whilst remaining a residential area.After the first two arrondissements, the ninth has the least amount of green space. These are mainly local, much-frequented gardens that play an important social role. The area as a whole reflects an old urban fabric, not particularly conducive to the creation of large natural spaces.

This guide brings together around thirty urban routes that allow you to discover representations of animals in the capital: sculptures, building decorations, murals, etc.

This urban route focuses on the heart of Paris, in a neighbourhood rich in world-famous museums, exploring depictions of animals. In the Tuileries Garden, these are particularly numerous and offer a conflicting view of the animal world, undoubtedly that of their time.

A long urban trail on the theme of sundials and sites related to astronomy scattered throughout Paris: the Paris meridian, observatories, gnomons, etc. Best done on a sunny day so you can read the time along the way! The sundials are often high up, sometimes hidden by trees that have grown... you may have to search hard to find them.

This second section takes us to the old cabaret (Chez Patachou) where Georges Brassens performed in public for the first time. The walk through Montmartre, with its slopes, paths and stairways, is particularly pleasant (best done in the "low tourist season").

Crossing the Seine on the famous Pont des Arts, this third section takes us from the right bank to the left bank, which Brassens had a marked preference for. It is also an opportunity to visit some of the highlights of Parisian heritage: Place Beauvau and the Elysée Palace, Place Vendôme, the Louvre Museum (with its glass pyramid), the Institut de France, etc.

The sixth arrondissement of Paris is emblematic of Parisian elegance. A chic neighbourhood with legendary cafés, it has historical links to writers, philosophers and artists. It is as renowned for its intellectual heritage as it is for its architectural heritage, with its museums, art galleries and prestigious cultural institutions. It boasts a dozen public squares and municipal gardens, including the famous Jardin du Luxembourg, which is managed by the state and will not be discussed here.

An urban route steeped in history, where 16th- and 17th-century buildings stand alongside modern architecture. This is how you will go from the Palais Royal to the Forum des Halles, from the Church of Saint-Eustache to the Centre Beaubourg, and from the Tour Saint-Jacques to the Opéra Bastille. The itinerary winds its way through streets, alleys, passageways and gardens, offering visitors the chance to discover a rich and diverse heritage.