Archivo:Galerie Colbert - interior view, 1900.jpg

Inspired by the charm and success of the Galerie Vivienne, the Galerie Colbert was built in 1826 in an attempt to duplicate the splendor of its predecessor. The Galerie's artistic refinements, such as the various paintings and statues that decorate the interior, as well as its glass roof supported by marble columns, served to distinguish it from its contemporaries. Its main attraction, however, was its enormous rotunda, measuring 15 meters in diameter and by which visitors could access the rue Vivienne. Despite its impressive architecture and artistic charm, the Galerie Colbert never experienced the economic success that its creators anticipated. After a series of minor demolitions, the Galerie Colbert was temporarily closed in 1975 but rebuilt in 1985 under the direction of the Bibliothèque nationale. The new Galerie is a close reproduction of the original and an attempt to preserve its architectural and artistic designs. It is located in the second arrondissement parallel to the Galerie Vivienne.