The Passage du Chantier is located not far from the Bastille and it seems that its 120-metre-long little cobblestone street, which is skewed on one side, hasn't changed much since the Middle Ages. Bearing in mind that Gap and other mass producers are located on the adjacent and loud Faubourg St-Antoine, the journey back in time is at first truly surprising. Without knowing about its existence, it's doubtful that you'd end up there. Historically, this district has been associated with furniture manufacturers since the 15th century, when King Louis XI allocated this area for them to open their workshops and to help deal with local poverty. At one time the workshop of Adam Weisweiler, who, among other things, made furniture for Marie Antoinette, was also located here. The most diverse little furniture shops continue to be the main tenants of the passage - from antique shops to restorers of antique furniture and replica manufacturers, right up to representatives of contemporary design. For example, Le Manoir de Gilles now represents third-generation furniture masters. It's also worth visiting the Hummel furniture and accessory shop, as well as the show room of Xavie Z, a representative of French contemporary design and manufacturer of kitchens and kitchen accessories.
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