Champs-Élysées

Champs-Élysées

The Champs-Élysées literally means "the Elysian Fields," a paradise-like avenue that slopes from west to east, stretching 1,800 meters in length and reaching a maximum width of about 120 meters. It starts at Place de la Concorde in the east and ends at Place Charles de Gaulle (Arc de Triomphe) in the west, and is regarded as the queen of Paris’s central avenues.

Until the mid-17th century, this area was still covered in swamps and forests. In 1667, court landscape architect André Le Nôtre ordered the construction of this tree-lined boulevard. It is divided into two sections by Place de la Concorde: the 700-meter eastern part features a natural landscape with flat English-style lawns on both sides, offering a serene and tranquil atmosphere; the 1,100-meter western section is a commercial district.

During the Second Empire period, the Champs-Élysées became a fashionable avenue bustling with cafés and restaurants. Later, it became home to banks, insurance companies, airlines, as well as boutiques, fast-food outlets, and grocery stores. Strolling down the brightly lit avenue, even the most discerning traveler would find it hard to miss such a captivating night scene.

The Champs-Élysées is a famous avenue in Paris, located in the 8th arrondissement in the northwest of the city, and is hailed as the most beautiful street in Paris. The name "Champs-Élysées" originally refers to the Elysium, the realm of the blessed souls of saints and heroes in Greek mythology. The avenue begins at Place de la Concorde, where an obelisk stands, and extends 1,915 meters from east to west. The first half is relatively flat, followed by an uphill stretch leading to Place Charles de Gaulle, where the Arc de Triomphe stands in the center.

The straight street of the Champs-Élysées offers views of distant landmarks: the Louvre and its glass pyramid, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel (the small Arc de Triomphe), the Tuileries Garden, the obelisk, the Arc de Triomphe, and further west, beyond the city, the Grande Arche de la Défense. The Champs-Élysées is one of Paris’s premier tourist attractions. It is also the most densely populated area of global luxury brands, featuring numerous high-end boutiques, fashion stores, watch shops, and cosmetics stores. In addition, there are many renowned cafés, restaurants, and bars. Due to its fame and luxurious ambiance, setting up shop on the Champs-Élysées comes at a premium price.

On July 14th, Bastille Day, the French President attends the military parade held on the Champs-Élysées. The avenue is also traditionally the endpoint of the final stage of the Tour de France. On New Year’s Eve, the Champs-Élysées becomes a pedestrian zone where people gather to celebrate the new year.