Champs Elysees

From LoveToKnow Travel

The Champs Elysees forms the backbone of Paris’ cultural and commercial hub. The long, straight stretch of road is a wide boulevard, flanked with trees, shops, boutiques and restaurants. The 3km (1.9 mile) street originated in the 17th Century, with the first records indicating it was first formed in 1616. Queen consort of France, Italian-born Marie de Medici, ordered an avenue of trees to adorn the newly stretched boundaries of the Palais des Tuileries’ gardens. From these origins of being a mere boundary, the Champs Elysees soon grew as an important throughway in Paris. By the end of the 18th century, it was gaining a reputation as a fashionable avenue, a reputation it still upholds to this day.

The Origins of the Name

The term "Champs Elysees" derives from the Greek mythological story of the Elysian Fields where the blessed go after death. The boulevard has become one of the most recognizable roads in the world. With rows of trees and decorated sidewalks, which become illuminated at night, the Champs Elysees has often been referred to as “La plus belle avenue du monde” or, in English, "the most beautiful avenue in the world."

Champs Elysees

Landmarks on the Champs Elysees

Today, the Champs Elysees is a thriving cosmopolitan avenue with bustling sidewalks and traffic-filled road. The street is punctuated to the east and west by two of Paris’ major landmarks. Lying on the far east of the avenue is the Place de la Concorde. At the heart of this square stands the famous Obelisk, which is a needleshaped object extracted from Egypt that dates back around 3000 years.

Arc de Triomphe

The Obelisk is Paris’ oldest landmark and is also one of the most popular in the city. On the west of the precinct is the enormous four-pillared Arc De Triomphe, which is one of the most recognized symbols of France. The Arc was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte following a succession of victories in the creation of the Napoleonic Empire in the early 19th Century.

Shops, Bars, and Restaurants

The modern day Champs Elysees is a vibrant spot for shopping, eating, and browsing. The shops have been governed by a group called Syndicat d'Initiative et de Défense des Champs Elysees since 1860. This was upgraded in 1916 when companies such as Louis Vuitton joined together to maintain the reputation and promote the famous street.

Some of the finest fashion boutiques still adorn this popular Paris Street. Visitors who enjoy buying or merely browsing through some of the haute couture France offers regularly flock to the Champs Elysees. The promenades are also laced with a selection of bistros and restaurants, offering a variety of foods for hungry passers by. From haute cuisine to fast food, there are vendors and restaurants offering wares of all kinds. Parisian bars and cafes also adorn the streets, offering visitors the chance to quench their thirst while watching the world go by.

Annual Events along the Champs Elysees

The Champs Elysees is also an important staging point for France. There are numerous events and celebrations in which the French customarily flock to the famous boulevard. The annual Bastille Day celebrations are held on the grand avenue each year. The French citizens, along with the President of the Republic, join to celebrate the day in which French partisans stormed the famous Bastille prison - an event that triggered the French Revolution. This large procession, which includes a review of the French troops by the President, takes place each year on July 14th.

Similarly, the Tour De France, the worlds most famous bike race, traditionally ends along the Champs Elysees. Since 1975, this has been the conclusion for the final stage of the famous race, despite the road’s cobbled surface being distinctly uncomfortable for the riders.