Passer par vs. passer devant

Question

I understood that the par or devant were essentially the same - both mean to pass by something.  I answered passer devant in this questions just to use a different way of expressing the same meaning.  It was, however, said to be an error and passer par was the correct answer.  Please explain.  Thanks.

Chris Wirt · Answer

Yes, in a sepecific instance they can come close in meaning.

Je passe par chez toi. -- I'm dropping by your place.
Je passe par devant chez toi. -- I'm passing by your place. (No stopping.)
Je passe devant chez toi. -- I'm passing by your place. (No stopping.)

Carol Levine · Answer

The examples given in the explanation seem to indicate that Passer par can also mean to pass by  (without stopping by) as in passe par la boulangerie.  Thanks for your help.