Paris

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Avenue des Champs-Elysées

More Photos
Jim Rosenberg
Jim Rosenberg
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
5
Reviews
19
Photos
Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-5 of 5

Avenue des Champs-Elysées

  • September 22, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by paolo1899 from Naples, Italy
Avenue des Champs-Elysées

The Champs Elysees is an avenue that runs for 2km/1.25miles through the 8th arrondissement in northwestern Paris, from the Place de la Concorde in the east, with its obelisk, to the Place Charles de Gaulle in the west location of the Arch of Triumph. This avenue is one of the principal tourist destinations in Paris; the lower part is bordered by greenery and by buildings such as the theatre Marigny and the Grand Palais. The Elysees palace is a little bit to the north not on the avenue itself. Further to the west, the avenue is lined with cinemas, theaters, cafés, restaurants, and luxury specialty shops.
The Champs Elysees is known as the most beautiful avenue in the world and the most expensive strip of real estate in the world after the New York City’s Fifth Avenue. The name Elysees refers to the Elysian Fields, the place of the blessed in Greek mythology.
The arrangement of this avenue was first undertaken under Louis XIV. This land became the Grand Cours or Allee du Roule and the architect Le Notre set up a path in order to continue the Tuileries perspective. For a long time one could only find along this path, cabarets, cafés and a few houses with cows grazing in the fields. Finally gardens were created by Hittorf, the last architect of the Concorde place. It's only since the Second Empire (second part of the XIXth) that the area became occupied by business men and financials invaded by trade with rich French and foreign customers, and that stood numerous and luxurious hotels. Around these gardens are the Elysee Palace (residence of Presidents since 1873), the U.S.A and British embassies, theaters, and elegant restaurants.

From journal Champs Elysees

The Champs Elysées

  • June 6, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Carmen from Fairfax, Virginia
The Champs Elysées

While we didn’t have the same pomp and circumstance that the victory parades had after both world wars, we did march down the Champs Elysées. The "triumphal way" is lined with trees and shops galore. If you continue down the Champs Elysées until you reach the Egyptian obelisk at place de la Concorde, hold onto your hat – and your head. Some of France’s most famous names lost theirs to the guillotine in that square.

The main Paris boulevard also boasts some of the biggest names in fashion and shopping. We walked past Chanel, and took a peek inside the Luis Vitton store. I could have a change purse for mere change – 110 €! Well, it was nice to look anyway. We also passed the Lacoste shop, and I took some time to drool over the watches in the Swatch store. Then I bought my dad a real silk tie from Monoprix – the Paris answer to Wal-Mart without the cheesy atmosphere.

Afterwards, I purchased another pain au chocolate (chocolate croissant) from a patisserie and sat at a café table and watched Paris walk by.

From journal Paris – La Vie En Rose

Champs Elysees

  • February 2, 2002
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Globe from Salt Lake City, Utah
Although it is highly touristic, a stroll down Champs Elysees is an essential part of your trip. Start at the Place de la Condorde and work your way to the Arc de Triomphe. Along the way, pop into the many stores. Some, such as BMW and Peugot, look more like small museums, with the latest additions to their product lines on display. If you are looking for English books or magazines, try the Virgin superstore, which has a wide selection of both.

From journal Paris

Editor Pick

Champs Elysees - A Popular Promenade

  • October 27, 2001
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Ioanda from Bucuresti, Romania
Champs Elysees - A Popular Promenade

In 1667, a huge area of parkland was added to the Tuileries Palace, extending as far as the Chaillot hill. Le Nôtre, who was in charge of the work, laid out a huge array of avenues bordered by flowers and shrubs along which Parisians were free to stroll at their leisure. In 1694, the broad avenue that had just been completed was given the name of Champs Elysées, in reference to Greek mythology.

Champs Elysees is a popular promenade and the central point to most French National celebrations. The Tour de France finishes here and people from all over the world congregate here to celebrate Bastille Day - the French national holiday.

From Arch de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde, the 2km-long, 72m-wide stretch is an ideal place to walk and/or relax. You can find here whatever you want. Just come, walk and look!

From journal Paris - first touch

Editor Pick

Champs Elysees

  • November 4, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Jim Rosenberg from Wausau, Wisconsin
Champs Elysees

If it is not the most famous street in the world, it certainly ranks near the top and for good reason. Like Picadilly in London, Paris's Champs Elysees is a safe, reliable and active place for diversions well into the night -- and that may well be the best time of all to enjoy it. Crowned by the Arc de Triomphe on one end and Place de la Concorde at the other, the history of this street dates back to the 1600s.

The Champs Elysees today is lined with cafes, brasseries, movie theatres, high-end retailers and fashionable boutiques -- along with a couple of palaces and impressive monuments thrown in for good measure. If there is a better place to grab a bench and just sit and watch people, I can't imagine where it is. The sidewalks are incredibly wide and lavish, leaving plenty of room for a wide array of sidewalk cafes, beverage and dining options running the full range from McDonald's to posh and pricey French restaurants. Expect to pay at least $4 for a beer or $9 for a mixed drink in even the most modest sidewalk cafes -- well worth the price for a table with a view of the activity on the Champs or a place in an active, animated brasserie.

There is rarely a lack of activity on the Champs Elysees once the day is underway and the bright lights and action continue until late into the night. It would be difficult to truly say you've visited Paris without spending at least a little time here. For a quick sampling, take Metro Line 1 to the George V stop and you will be right in the heart of the Avenue when you emerge. Walk in up to the Arche de Triomphe and drink in the ambiance; stop for an espresso, visit some stores. It's sounds simple and it is, but it is simply exhilerating. Night time is the best, but a daytime visit is no less worthwhile. (And if you are heading back to the Place de la Nation neighborhood that I've been touting in this journal, you can take the metro home from the Charles de Gaulle etoile stop via the "long way" on metro line 9, getting somewhat of a tour of the left bank since a good portion of the run is above ground.) Would you like to see what's happening there right now? Go to: http://www.allocine.fr/live/

From journal Paris: An Affordable, Spectacular Destination

Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-5 of 5

Compare Paris Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Helpful Paris Links

Paris Travel Deals