The 8th is the home of the Champs-Elysées, featuring some of the most upscale shopping outlets in the world. The Arc de Triomphe is also here, in addition to some pristine examples of architecture and quiet, shady areas to be explored.
The VIIIe arrondissement of Paris is possibly most famous for the Champs-Elysées, which ends at the Arc de Triomphe.
First created in 1667 by Louis XIV's gardener and groundskeeper, the Champs-Elysées was originally constructed to better improve the view from the Tuileries garden. Various apartments in Paris afford visitors the ability to live only a short walk from this amazing boulevard. Toward the end of the 18th century, this broad, elegant avenue was extended, and now runs from the place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. It is also recognized as one of the most prestigious shopping boulevards in the world.
The famous Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 as a tribute to his victories as Emperor of France, and was finally completed in 1836, long after his death. 150 feet high, the Arc is the focal point of the main east-west road axis of Paris, running between the Louvre and the Grande Arche de la Défense in the west. It is adorned with battle scenes and military sculptures. In more recent history, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was created beneath the arch in 1920, which includes an eternal flame burning in tribute to the French dead of both World Wars.
The arch is surrounded by "The Star" (in French, "l'Etoile"), a roundabout with a dozen thoroughfares from a central point. The central island and the arch itself are both reached by an underground passage.
The Place de la Concorde is located to the west of the Jardin des Tuilleries, and is the largest square in Paris. This truly magnificent square, accessible from one of our Paris vacation apartments, was also where King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and many others were guillotined during the Terror (when it was renamed la Place de la Revolution). The large Egyptian obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde was actually brought from the Temple of Luxor in Egypt.
One of the best-known and most beautiful churches in Paris is La Madeleine, which features a lavish interior of marble and gold. Begun in 1764, the church was consecrated almost a hundred years later, in 1845. It's easy and fun to walk to this famous church from your Paris apartment rental 8th arrondissement and feel the beauty of this magical place and its history envelop your senses.
Like so much of Paris, the 8th is not just a historic destination but cultural as well. There are a number of exciting museums to visit in the 8th, such as the Jacquemart-Andre Museum, which contains a private collection of French, Italian, and Dutch masterpieces in a typical 19th century mansion. The Musée du Petit Palais, the Galeries nationales du Grand Palais, Musée Cernuschi, Musée Nissim de Camondo and more await you.
As you will see while exploring from one of many apartment rentals paris, the Champs is roughly divisible in a sense into four basic areas: the "golden triangle" ("triangle d’or" in French), between the famous Champs-Elysées and the Seine, the Champs-Elysées, the Monceau and St. Augustin district and St Lazare.
The most upscale zone is the golden triangle, containing the famous George V hotel, the Grand and Petit Palais, and various boutiques featuring some of the most au courant designer names.
The Champs-Elysées' world-famous shopping, cafés, bars and boutiques must be experienced. There are many remarkable stores here, some of the largest in the world, and some with special themes. Nike's concept store Nike Paris is located on the Champs-Elysées. Also here is continental Europe's largest Gap and Virgin Megastore, Sephora, the largest Louis Vuitton department store in the world, which boasts an exhibition room, and the largest Adidas store in the world.
The Tour de France ends here, and each holiday the avenue is ornately lit by the official Champs-Elysées Committee. The largest military parade in Europe also passes down the Champs every year on Bastille Day.
For something to eat or to hear some live music, try the Buddha Bar at 8 Rue Boissy d' Anglais. Well-known in electronic lounge music circles for having sponsored a series of lounge and downtempo records offered at most larger record shops in France, the Buddha Bar is a hip, sophisticated atmosphere that makes for a fun day or evening.
