The broadest and most prestigious avenue in all of Paris, with cafes, theatres and specialty luxury shops, the Champs Elysées is one of the most famous streets in the world. Read below to find out more about this breathtaking avenue.
With its seemingly countless luxury specialty shops, theatres and cafes, the "Avenue des Champs-Élysées" is one of the most famous streets in the world, and the single most expensive real estate strip in Europe, and second most expensive in the world. (Only Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue is more.) The average rent here is as high as $1.25 million a year per 1,000 square feet (100 square meters)! Luckily you can rent one of Paristay’s beautiful Paris short term rentals within walking distance for far less, and still enjoy the sights and sounds of this marvelous place.
Known in French as the most beautiful avenue in the world (“La plus belle avenue du monde”), the Champs-Élysées is named after the Elysian Fields, the place of the blessed in Greek mythology. It runs for 2 kilometres (1.25 miles) through the 8th arrondissement in northwestern Paris, from the obelisk at the Place de la Concorde in the east, to the Place Charles de Gaulle in the west, location of the Arc de Triomphe (known formerly the Place de l'Étoile).
The Champs-Élysées forms part of the Axe historique (sometimes known in English as the “grand historic axis”). As such, the Paris City government has enacted certain measures in recent years in an attempt to protect the uniqueness of its character by disallowing certain global chains to set up shop here. If you want to see this area close up, there are more than a few apartments rental paris that can be rented nearby.
Regardless, you will find all the shopping you could want on the avenue. It is, after all, one of the most famous streets for shopping in the world, with Benetton, Nike’s concept store “Nike Paris”, Zara, the Disney Store, continental Europe largest Gap and Virgin Megastore as well as Sephora.
Traditionally home of luxury brands, it has lately seen the opening of large new upscale shops such as the biggest Louis Vuitton department store in the world, which boasts an exhibition room, and the largest Adidas store in the world in a very beautiful old building. As a result, this street remains very popular with many of the rich and famous, as well as those who wish to take in its beauty and splendor. Choose from several Paris vacation apartments and you won’t have to walk far with your bags! One shopping tip: During the first few weeks of September, many stores, including Gap, Morgan, Zara, etc will have their post-summer sales and terrific buys can be had.
Until 1616, the Champs-Elysées were originally comprised of market gardens and actual fields, until Marie de Medici decided to extend the garden axis of the Palais des Tuileries with an avenue of trees. Even as late as 1716, Guillaume de L'Isle's map of Paris shows that a stretch of roads and fields and market garden plots remained. In 1724, the Tuileries garden axis and the avenue were connected and extended beyond the Place de l'Étoile; the "Elysian Fields" were soon filled in with trees formally planted in straight rank and file.
By the late 18th century, the Champs-Elysées had become a fashionable avenue. Queen Marie Antoinette drove with her friends and took music lessons at the grand Hôtel de Crillon on the Place Louis XV. The Champs-Elysées became city property in 1828, and footpaths, fountains, and gas lighting were added. Over the years, the avenue has undergone numerous transitions, most recently in 1994, when the sidewalks were widened.
Today, the Champs-Élysées is the setting for many huge gatherings celebrating popular events (such as New Year's Eve), and commemorating certain famous occasions, such as France winning of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Your Paris apartment rental Champs Elysées can bring you close enough to head to the event and then back home again. The Champs-Elysées is also the traditional end of the last stage of the Tour de France. On Bastille Day, the largest military parade in Europe passes down the Champs-Élysées, presided over by the President of the Republic. And each year from end of November to end of December, the 'Champs-Elysées' Committee lights the avenue for the holiday season.
Of course, the Champs Elysées gives you access to famous monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe. But the lower part of the street has a different charm. When you’re tired of shopping and grand sights, and need a quieter interlude, head for a stroll to the lower part of the Champs-Élysées, and see the greenery of Marigny Square, the hushed beauty of Grand Palais and the Théâtre Marigny. A short walk to the north, off the avenue itself, takes you to the Elysée Palace. And a bit westward, one finds many theaters, cinemas, restaurants (such as Fouquet's) and cafés.
