Right next door is another of Paris's passages, the Galerie Colbert (1826). It is joined with the Galerie Vivienne and thus the two have been competing with each other for the title of the city's most beautiful passage since as long as anybody can remember. The central element of the Galerie Colbert is a 15-metre-high rotunda covered by a glass dome, of a size that was matchless in its time. Initially the architect of the passage placed a large bronze chandelier at its centre, making it a favoured place for lovers to meet. However, the chandelier was eventually removed and currently the centre of the rotunda is decorated by a sculpture of a young woman which was created in 1822, and was previously located in the gardens of the nearby Palais Royal. As opposed to its neighbour the Galerie Colbert has never enjoyed commercial success. It was even closed in 1975 until its ownership was transferred to the National Library, which had it restored and reopened during the 1980s. The passage is now the home of the National Art History Institute, the National Heritage Institute and the legendary Brasserie du Grand-Colbert.
Galerie Vivienne - 4 rue des Petits-Champs, 5, rue de la Banque Galerie Colbert - 6, rue des Petits-Champs, 6, rue Vivienne
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