Iconic landmarks along the Champs Elysées
The Champs-Élysées, the world’s most famous avenue, connects the Place de la Concorde to the majestic Arc de Triomphe.
Take the time to explore it at your leisure, especially on the first Sunday of each month when it becomes a pedestrian zone.
You will indeed discover a wealth of stunning buildings, such as the prestigious Hôtel Païva, built in the 1850s at No. 25. You will be able to take a break in one of the many cafés or restaurants, such as the iconic Fouquet‘s, or savour the delicious macaroons from Ladurée, a true Parisian delicacy.
The avenue boasts many luxury boutiques: the prestigious Louis Vuitton flgship at No. 101, the superb Boutique Guerlain across the avenue at No. 68, next to Chanel Beauté at No. 52, and the iconic C42, Citroën‘s flagship showroom at No. 42.
There is also the former Claridge Hotel at No. 74, an architectural gem built during the First World War, and transformed into an exclusive shopping destination.
However, it must be said that the atmosphere of the Champs-Élysées has considerably changed in the last thirty years.
Indeed, it now has far too many banks, cinemas, and fast-food outlets, including the world’s largest McDonald’s at No. 140.
Spanning an impressive 1,370 square metres across two floors, with a 50-square-metre terrace and seating for 380, it generates annual revenue exceeding €13.5 million and welcomes over 1.825 million customers.
While the Champs-Élysées ranks as the third most expensive street in the world, after Fifth Avenue in New York and Causeway Bay in Hong Kong, it holds the title of the most expensive street in Europe in terms of rent.
Premises on the even-numbered side of the street, bathed in sunlight, command the highest rents.
When was the Avenue des Champs Elysées built?
In 1670, King Louis XIV commissioned landscape architect André Le Nôtre to create the Tuileries Gardens.
As part of this ambitious project, Le Nôtre extended the central avenue of the Tuileries Garden to form what was then called the Grand Cours.
He planted a double row of elm trees on either side, stretching as far as the present-day Rue Marboeuf, and also designed the Rond-Point des Champs Elysées (roundabout).
However, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées was originally just a muddy path winding through woods, marshes, and fields.
The surrounding area was so desolate that Parisians avoided it at night, and construction sites and building material depots cluttered the quays.
In 1774, the Marquis de Marigny commissioned the architect Jacques-Ange Gabriel to enlarge and extend the Grand Cours to what is now the Place Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile, thus contributing to making this avenue the iconic landmark it is today.
The development of the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, parallel to the Champs-Élysées, fostered the emergence of cafés, restaurants, ballrooms, gambling halls, theatres, and circuses along the avenue.
This vibrant atmosphere led to the revitalisation of the neighbourhood in the 1820s.
Fountains, statues, and gas lamps were indeed installed along the tree-lined avenue to enhance the architecture of the prestigious private mansions, elegant restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Even today, you will find numerous theatres and restaurants nestled along these charming side streets.
The Champs-Élysées then became a popular meeting place for Parisian high society, thus justifying a name befitting its burgeoning prestige.
Drawing inspiration from Greek mythology, the avenue was named after the Elysium (Elysian Fields), paradise and final resting place of the souls of heroes and virtuous people.
Avenue des Champs Elysées
The Avenue des Champs-Élysées begins at the Place de la Concorde and winds its way up towards the Arc de Triomphe, framed by shaded side avenues and gardens.
Two equestrian statues, known as the Chevaux de Marly (Horses of Marly), mark its beginning on Place de la Concorde.
These are replicas.
The originals, sculpted by Guillaume Coustou and now housed in the Louvre, were savaged from the Château de Marly, near Versailles, before its demolition during the French Revolution.
The Avenue des Champs-Élysées runs between the Avenue Gabriel, which borders the gardens on the north side, and the Petit Palais and Grand Palais on the river side, and arrives at the Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées.
Rond-Point des Champs Elysées
The vast Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées is always adorned with magnificent flowerbeds.
It is the convergence point of Avenue Franklin-Roosevelt, Avenue Montaigne, Avenue Matignon, Avenue Jean Mermoz, the Champs-Élysées.
It was officially renamed Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées-Marcel Dassault in 1991 to honour Marcel Dassault, who in the early 1950s acquired the Hôtel d’Espeyran, at No. 7.
This private mansion, built in 1888, now houses Artcurial, an auction house specialising in art.
The section of the Champs-Élysées that runs from the roundabout to the Arc de Triomphe is lined with luxury boutiques, shops, cinemas, and restaurant and café terraces. This is the popular tourist area.
Bastille Day Parade
The Champs-Élysées is also the official site of the annual military parade on July 14th, Bastille Day, France’s National Day, which commemorates storming of the Bastille and the beginning of the French Revolution.
It’s best to get up early if you want a good spot for the parade!
The parade begins at the Arc de Triomphe, with French and foreign regiments marching down the avenue towards the Place de la Concorde. Once there, they disperse in front of the reviewing stand erected for the occasion, where they are greeted by the President of the Republic and distinguished guests.
After the parade, a garden party is held in the gardens of the Élysée Palace. Known in France as 14 Juillet, this important national holiday is marked by fireworks and the Bal du 14 Juillet, a lively public ball that takes place in towns and villages throughout France on the preceding Friday evening.
Directions: 8th District
Metro: Concorde, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Champs-Elysées-Etoile on Line 1
Coordinates Champs Elysees: Lat 48.873360 – Long 2.296368
Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Fly over Bastille Day by Chief Petty Officer Michael McNabb Public domain
