Last Updated on 23rd April 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
Passy is a quaint neighbourhood in the 16th arrondissement of Paris on the rive droite (right bank, i.e. north of the river Seine). A fairy residential area that’s a little further afield from the more touristy parts of the city, here’s your ultimate guide to the best of Passy, as well as what to know before you go.
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Introducing Passy
Passy is a delightful and hilly neighbourhood with a distinctly residential feel. It’s probably most famous for its many produce stores, including covered markets and weekly markets.
There are a number of regally appointed buildings in the area and art nouveau architecture is to be found in abundance, so don’t forget to bring your camera along. The edge of Passy begins at Trocadéro, meaning that many tourists will stumble upon it.
However, deep Passy is a little more off the beaten path and is frequented by fewer tourists, meaning that it’s a spot in the city where you can head to if you want to get a taste for the real authentic Paris.
A history of Passy
Much like Montmartre, the neighbourhood of Passy only became part of Paris proper in 1860. Unlike most of the city, the district is quite hilly so be prepared to walk up and down and wear comfortable footwear.
It will take you around half a day if you truly want to discover all of Passy’s attractions and visit all of the museums. The most famous resident of Passy is Honoré Balzac and today his former home has been turned into a museum boasting a beautiful garden with Eiffel Tower views.
Benjamin Franklin also lived in the area for the nine year duration of the American Revolutionary War. Les Artistes de Passy met and worked together at the beginning of the 20th century. This included Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, and Albert Gleize.
Main streets of Passy: Chaussée de la Muette, Rue de Passy, Rue de l’Annonciation, Rue Raynouard, Rue Duban, Avenue Paul Doumer, Rue des Vignes, and Rue de Boulainvilliers.
Things to do in Passy
Shop on rue de Passy
One of the busiest streets in the neighbourhood is rue de Passy, which boasts plenty of interesting shops, as well as the kind of high street stores that can be found all over France. Passy Plaza is a small covered mall that contains a number of high street brands.
Rue de l’Annonciation
Yet another street in the 16th arrondissement that you won’t want to miss is the Rue de l’Annonciation. This charming shopping street is mostly pedestrianised and is home to a wide array of artisanal and local shops such as fishmongers, greengrocers, and bakeries. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our guide to the best streets in Paris.
Maison de Balzac
As I mentioned above, one of the most famous residents to have lived in Passy is Honoré Balzac. Today, his former home has been transformed into a delightful small museum and has been set up much as it would have appeared during the 19th-century. The permanent collection of the museum is free to visit.
Musée du Vin
While Passy is quite residential, there are still a smattering of museums worth checking out, and the Musée du Vin is among these. As its name suggests, the wine museum is all about the history of wine and winemaking, with a particular focus on the French methods.
Musée Marmottan Monet
Yet another museum in Passy that’s worth checking out is the Marmottan Monet Museum. Established in 1934, the museum is set within the former hôtel particulier of Paul Marmottan (a kind of mansion), hence its name.
While the museum was founded in the 1930s, it did not truly rise to fame until after 1996, following a generous donation of Monet paintings by Michael Monet, who was the iconic artist’s second born son and only heir. Today, the museum boasts a staggering 300+ works of art by Monet.
Passy Cemetery
One of the quieter cemeteries in Paris is Passy Cemetery, which lies on the outer boundaries of Passy and gives views onto the Eiffel Tower. The cemetery was founded in 1820 and was actually established in order to replace the former l’ancien cimetière communal de Passy.
By the latter half of the 19th-century, thanks to its position in one of the wealthiest areas of Paris, the Passy Cemetery had become a veritable necropolis for the well-to-do of the French capital.
Some of the more famous burials in the graveyard include Ghislaine Dommanget (a princess of Monaco), Édouard Manet (the famed realist and impressionist painter), and Marcel Renault (co-founder of the Renault motor company).
Jardin de Ranelagh
Pretty and tranquil, the public park of Jardin de Ranelagh was founded in 1860 and is one of the lesser-visited parks of Paris. Some of the key highlights include a puppet show theatre, a merry-go-round, and plenty of beautiful flower borders in the spring and summer.
Marché Couvert de Passy
The tradition of covered marketplaces dates back to the 19th-century, when such covered marketplaces could be found all over the French capital, and indeed all over France. Though a little newer in its construction, the Marché Couvert of Passy is a throwback to that bygone era.
Open on a daily basis (apart from Mondays), stroll inside at any given moment and you’ll be greeted by the sight of vendors selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to artisanal cheeses and French candies.
Of course, there is also a bakery in the covered market, where you can easily pick up some kind of treat if you’re feeling peckish during your exploration of the Passy neighbourhood, including macarons in every flavour you could dream of and various pastries such as croissants and pain au chocolats. There’s almost always a florist in the covered market too.
La Grande Épicerie de Paris
If you’re looking for an extra special French food, then you’ll surely find it at La Grande Epicerie, an extra special kind of French supermarket with elevated prices to match. This is where you can find special brands such as Beurre Bordier, wonderful wines, and all manner of other French delicacies.
Where to stay in Passy
If you’re looking to stay in a more residential neighbourhood of Paris that has a local feel but still boasts all of the modern conveniences of
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