The Covered Passages in Paris: Passage Brady

Situated in the 10th district, the Passage Brady is probably one of the most intriguing covered passages in Paris. Just one step from the busy and crowded Faubourg-Saint Denis and Faubourg Saint Martin, you will be transported directly to India! In this passage you can find spice shops, colorful saris, incense, religious statues and inexpensive but tasty Indian dishes. This is not just another covered passage in Paris, this is also an invitation to a visual, sensory and aromatic journey. We promise you, you will be amazed.

Cheese Nan and tikka massala

If you are looking for some tasty, spicy Indian food in Paris, then you should definitely visit the Passage Brady. Here you can get all the ingredients you need for your Indian dinner but also you can eat in the famous Indian restaurants - "Tresor du Kashmir". This covered passage is known as “Little India”, but it also the place with numerous Pakistani, Mauritian and Reunion shops and restaurants. This is the place where you can also buy some very exotic products, strange fruits and vegetables, rice, spices, special tea like chai massala, jewelry, colored traditional outfits and even some Bollywood latest movies. The Passage Brady is one of the rare Parisian covered passages composed of two parts, separated by the Boulevard de Strasbourg. The part linking rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis to Boulevard de Strasbourg has been recently restored and it is covered by a glass roof. The other part of the Passage Brady is in the open-air and here you can rent the outfits for your costume party. The Passage Brady is listed as a historical monument since 2002.

Little bit of history

The Passage Brady was built in 1828 by the merchant Mr. Brady established at number 46 in the Faubourg Saint-Denis, exactly where the entrance to the passage is currently located. This was a beautiful covered passage with an elegant rotunda to compensate its irregular design but in 1854 the passage was split in two by the one of the busiest Parisian streets - Boulevard de Strasbourg. The Art Nouveau inscription with the name of the passage at the entrance is the only reminder of old times. In 1973, Antoine Ponnoussamy an Indian from Pondicherry opened here the first Indian shop “Supermarket Bazar Velan” and soon after many other Indian shops and restaurants have followed his example. "Velan" is more than a grocery store. It is an institution, where you can get fresh fruits and vegetables, all kind of spices, incense, rice, jewels, Hindu statues etc etc...

Practical information

The Passage Brady is accessible via 22 or 33 Boulevard de Strasbourg and 43 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin (for the open-air part). From Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 11.30pm, Sunday from 6pm to 11.30pm. Metro Château d’eau (4) or Strasbourg-Saint Denis (4, 8, 9)