PARIS – THE CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES, THE MAIN AVENUE OF PARIS

DESCRIPTION – Paris: The Champs-Élysées, the main avenue of Paris

The Champs-Élysées, the world-famous Paris avenue has been the horizontal axis of the city since the 17th Century. Seventy meters wide, it starts at Place de la Concorde and ends at Arc de Triomphe. It is both a sumptuous monumental space and a good example of historical Paris urban planning.

This triumphal road was an ancient path in the woods until it became a royal and imperial road in the 17th Century. After the World Fair of 1855, the Champs-Elysées became popular with wealthy people and remained a luxurious hotspot until the 1950’s. Today it is a major commercial district, teeming with cafés, shops and restaurants.

While half of this majestic road is lined by 19th Century buildings, we will also take a look at more recent constructions designed by well-known French architects such as Edouard François or Manuelle Gontrand.

Our walk will end at the famous Arc de Triomphe, which will offer us a perfect view of Paris present and future, spanning from the Louvre palace to the Défense towers.