Passage du Caire

The Passage du Caire in Paris's 2nd arrondissement is a historic covered shopping arcade that commemorates the victorious entry of French troops into Cairo in 1798. One of the oldest shopping arcades in the city, it was built on the site of a former convent and is now a protected landmark. At 370 meters long, it is the longest passage in Paris, though its corridors, at just 2.70 meters wide, are among the narrowest. The architectural ensemble consists of three galleries that intersect in a rotunda and shows strong Egyptian influences, most evident in the sphinx heads and reliefs at the entrance. The passage originally housed printers and lithographers, while today it is used mainly by the textile trade and ready-to-wear clothing manufacturers. Much of its former charm has disappeared, as many shops have been renovated and the glass roof leaks in places. On weekdays, the narrow corridor is busy with suppliers and freight forwarders, while strollers tend to avoid the place.