| The Most Famous Avenue |
Champs Elysees : The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is an avenue in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France, 1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) long and 70 metres (230 ft) wide, running between the Place de la Concorde in the east and the Place Charles de Gaulle in the west, where the Arc de Triomphe is located. It is famous for its theatres, cafés and luxury shops, as the finish of the Tour de France cycling race, as well as for its annual Bastille Day military parade. The name is French for the Elysian Fields, the place for dead heroes in Greek mythology.
HISTORY OF THE CHAMPS ELYSEES
The origins of the Champs-Élysées started in 1640 when space was cleared to plant a line of trees. It would later become an avenue. The name translates to “Elysian Fields” from the Greek mythology. It means resting place of Greek gods and dead heroes, similar to the Christian paradise.
In 1724, the avenue was extended and acquired its current size. In 1994 the city renovated the street’s sidewalks, improving the Champs-Élysées considerably. Nowadays, its buildings are high-end stores, cafés and offices. Moreover, ideal for shopping or going for a stroll down one of the most beautiful avenues of Paris.
The Champs-Élysées is also renowned worldwide, especially among sports fans, as it is the site of the Tour de France’s last stage.
The avenue is divided in two :
- The lower part, closest to the Place de la Concorde, runs through a park with imposing buildings such as the Palais de la Découverte (Discovery Palace), the Petit Palais and the Grand Palais.
- The higher part of Champs-Élysées begins at place Charles de Gaulle, where the magnificent Arc de Triomphe is situated, with numerous high-end stores, restaurants, cinemas and large department stores.
The Champs-Élysées ends at the opposite side of the Arc de Triomphe, where the avenue de la Grande Armée leads to the Grande Arche de la Défense and the district of La Défense.
1670 SWAMPS TRANSFORMED INTO A PROMENADE
In 1670, Louis XIV asked Le Nôtre, gardener behind the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, to develop this uninhabited area. The king’s gardener then traces, in the extension of the Tuileries, a large alley lined with trees and lawns that goes from the future Place de la Concorde to the current roundabout of the Champs-Elysées.
The Champs-Elysées had différent names : the Grand Cours, the Grande Allée du Roule, the Avenue de la Grille Royale and the Avenue du Palais des Tuileries. The name Champs-Elysées appeared in 1694, officially in 1709. A year later, the Duke of Antin, Superintendent of the King’s Buildings, extended the avenue to the Étoile de Chaillot, the future Place de l’Étoile.
BEGINNING OF CHAMPS ELYSEES URBANIZATION IN 1765
The urban history of the avenue begins in 1765. Louis XV authorized the construction of buildings on both sides of the Champs. Five years later, the Marquis de Marigny traced the alleys that would become the avenues de Marigny and Matignon as well as the allée des Veuves, future avenue Montaigne. It widened and extended the Champs Elysées to the current Pont de Neuilly.
However, despite all these investments, the avenue remains unloved… Its population, made up of bandits and prostitutes, attracted by the low-end taverns. It discouraged the bourgeoisie from strolling under the elms or frequenting the new places in the district. For example, the Colosseum, a sumptuous amusement park intended to host prestigious parties and shows opened in 1771… However, it went bankrupt in just 9 years due to lack of attendance.
THE BEGINNING OF GLORY IN 1791
The Avenue des Champs-Élysées will not really take importance until the French Revolution. On June 25, 1791, the king and his family came back after the flight to Varennes through it. Under the Directory, the avenue became larger and the guinguettes closed. They will be replaced by luxurious restaurants and cafes like Dupe’s. It is the first restaurant on the avenue that will attract all the celebrities of the moment.
At last, the Champs-Elysées finally becomes an elegant walk that allows you to take the fresh air in Longchamp on the grounds of the former Abbey. These walks then become a pretext for the show. It is who will have the most beautiful car, the fittest horses, the most beautiful suit, the most beautiful dress …
THE CHAMPS ELYSEES CONSECRATION END OF XIXe century
The arrival of the Second Empire will again upset the physiognomy of the district. Buildings and mansions gradually invaded the avenue. Napoleon III inaugurated the Palais de l’Industrie on May 15, 1855. It was as part of the first Parisian Universal Exhibition.
Actually, it will be used for two other editions, those of 1878 and 1889. Actually, it was destroyed from 1896 to make way for the Petit and Grand Palais. The latter was inaugurated on 1 May 1900 by the President of the Republic, Emile Loubet.
THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
In the heart of the 8th arrondissement, the Golden Triangle is a luxury jewel case delimited by the avenues Montaigne, Georges V and the Champs-Elysées. Vuitton, Chanel, Saint Laurent… The Plaza Athénée, the Shangri-La, the Royal Monceau… The Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Fouquet’s, Crazy Horse…
Indeed, prestigious names that the whole world dreams of and that will enchant your stay! Enjoy an extraordinary day among the Golden Triangle.
From the Arc de Triomphe to the Champs-Elysées roundabout, walk in the atmosphere of the most beautiful avenue. In this fashion paradise, high-class prêt-à-porter and luxury labels parade before your amazed eyes.
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