Champs Elysees

The Elysian Gardens were created in the early seventeenth century by the order of Maria Medici and soon became a favorite meeting place for the aristocrats of that time, who strolled there during the day and held dances at night by torchlight.

Fifty years later, Louis XIV commissioned Andre Le Notre, the principal landscape architect of European gardens of the 17th century, to equip the main avenue with pavilions and open-air cafes, extending it to the old de l'Étoile Square. Thus, in accordance with the more grandiose desires of the famous "Sun King", the so-called Grand Cours was born, and it wasn't until 1709 that it was named the Champs-Élysées.

The street received its name during the French Revolution, due to the revolutionaries' fascination with ancient culture, and originates from the ancient Greek myth of Elysium. The Champs-Élysées are splendid fields intended for the blessed in the afterlife. Here, after the end of their earthly lives, arrive heroes who are especially loved by the gods. In these "Isles of the Blessed," eternal spring reigns, and there are no diseases or sufferings.

The Champs-Élysées gained particular popularity among Parisians when the government of the First French Republic came to power. New shops, salons, and cafes began to open, and people felt more at ease and liberated.

From 1854 to 1870, Napoleon III oversaw the rebuilding of Paris, demolishing the medieval center and replacing it with broad, tree-lined boulevards, covered walkways, and arcades.

In the late 1800s, the Champs-Élysées had transformed into a fashionable avenue with trees on either side forming rectangular groves. The Élysée Palace, the grandest private mansion near the avenue, served as a private residence of the nobility and later became the official residence of the Presidents of France during the Third French Republic.

Following the downfall of Napoleon and the restoration of the French monarchy, the trees had to be replanted due to the occupation armies of Russians, British, and Prussians camping in the park and using the trees for firewood.

The avenue from the Rond-Point to the Étoile was developed during the Empire, and in 1828, the Champs-Élysées became city property. Footpaths, fountains, and gas lighting were later added to the avenue.

In 1834, King Louis-Philippe I commissioned architect Mariano Ruiz de Chavez to renovate the gardens of the de la Concorde Square and the Champs-Élysées. While the formal gardens and flowerbeds remained unchanged, the park was transformed into an open-air amusement park with various attractions, restaurants, a theater, an exhibition hall, and the Cirque d'Été – a large performance hall. Several fountains were also added, three of which have survived to this day.

The Arc de Triomphe, a major monument on the boulevard, was commissioned by Napoleon after his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz, but it was not completed until 1833-1836, under the reign of King Louis Philippe.

During the Second Empire, elegant mansions, paved sidewalks, and street lighting appeared on the Champs-Élysées, increasing its popularity significantly. The avenue hosted the world exhibitions of 1844, 1855, 1867, and 1900.

During the occupation of Paris, both in 1870 and in 1940, Prussian and German troops conducted daily military parades to emphasize their presence and power on French soil. The Champs-Élysées also hosted celebratory parades in honor of the Allied victory in World War I in 1919, the liberation of Paris by the forces of Free France and America in 1944, as well as the Second French Armored Division and the 28th US Infantry Division.

Among the attractions on the Champs-Élysées, one of the most famous worldwide is the Élysée Palace. Built in the 18th century for Count Évreux, this magnificent mansion is designed in the classical style. During the times of Napoleon, his beloved wife Josephine lived within these walls. The mansion is located in a park on the Champs-Élysées and is hidden from public view. Visitors can approach the palace to admire its refined architecture, but entry inside is not possible. Today, it serves as the residence of the President of France.

Between the de la Concorde Square and the Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées lie two magnificent neo-classical buildings – the Grand Palais (Grand Palace) and the Petit Palais (Small Palace), as well as the Alexander III Bridge. Constructed for the International Exhibition of 1900, these splendid structures were designed by the renowned architect Charles Girault. In the palaces, one can relax in the Winter Garden, admire the unique exhibits of the exhibition halls, or sit for a cup of coffee in cozy cafes. The two impressive palaces face each other across the Avenue Winston Churchill and are currently used for various art exhibitions. The Alexander III Bridge is one of the most richly decorated bridges in Paris.

To the east of the Rond-Point des Champs-Elysée roundabout are two famous theaters: the Théâtre Rond-Point and the Théâtre Marigny.

Most passersby hurry to the world-famous Arc de Triomphe, which marks the end of the Champs-Élysées. This grand monument was erected by order of Napoleon in memory of the heroes who died for France. Around it are set one hundred granite tombs – a symbol of Napoleon's rule for a hundred days.

The Champs-Élysées is home to medium-sized shopping centers that extend the shopping area, such as Élysées 26, Galeries du Claridge, and Arcades des Champs-Élysées. These centers accommodate a range of stores, including fashion retailers like Adidas, Zara, and Louis Vuitton; perfume shops like Guerlain and Yves Rocher; and jewelry stores like Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, and Cartier. Additionally, car showrooms like Citroen, Renault, and Mercedes are also present on the avenue.

The Champs-Élysées hosts several notable events throughout the year. The largest military parade in Europe takes place on July 14th, Bastille Day, and is reviewed by the President of the Republic. During the holiday season from late November to early January, the 'Champs-Élysées' Committee provides festive lighting for Advent, Christmastide, and Epiphany.

Since 1975, the final stage of the Tour de France cycling race has finished on the Champs-Élysées, followed by the awards ceremony on the avenue. However, the area has also been the site of several unfortunate events. In 1995, Algerian militants carried out terror attacks at the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Élysées, injuring 17 people. The avenue has also been the location of political protests and celebratory gatherings for events such as New Year's Eve and France's FIFA World Cup victories in 1998 and 2018.

Tragically, the Champs-Élysées has also been the site of two extremist attacks. In April 2017, a police officer was shot dead and two others were injured by an attacker who was subsequently shot and killed. In June of that same year, another suspected terrorist drove a car laden with explosives into a police vehicle on the avenue, resulting in the attacker's death.

The Champs-Élysées was also affected by violence during the Gilets Jaunes protests in March 2019. Roughly 1,500 out of 10,000 protesters looted or set fire to around 80 shops, restaurants, a bank, and newspaper kiosks along the avenue.

Air pollution has become a growing problem on the Champs-Élysées due to the high volume of traffic, with nitrogen dioxide levels exceeding the recommended limit set by the World Health Organization. To address this issue, the avenue has been closed to motor traffic on the first Sunday of every month since 2016. Despite being a popular tourist attraction, many Parisians avoid the avenue due to its worn-out appearance.

In 2021, the Mayor of Paris announced plans to transform the Champs-Élysées into an “extraordinary garden” with more pedestrian space and “tunnels of trees” to improve air quality. The redesign will reduce the space for auto traffic by half and connect over 200 acres of green space between the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de la Concorde, and the Tuileries Gardens. These plans, developed by the Champs-Élysées Committee and based on public consultation, aim to make the avenue more ecological, desirable, and inclusive. The project is estimated to cost €250 million and will also include a redesign of the Place de la Concorde. Work on the project will begin after the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and is expected to be completed by 2030.

The Champs-Élysées served as a prototype for the creation of Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia (USA) in 1917 and Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City in 1860.

One of the twelve avenues that start from the famous Place Charles de Gaulle was named after Victor Hugo while the renowned writer was still alive. Since the writer's house was on this street, all letters were addressed to "Mr. Hugo on his Avenue in Paris."

The Champs-Élysées is one of the most expensive rental locations in the world. Interestingly, renting a house on the even-numbered side of the street can cost twice as much as on the odd-numbered side. Do you know why$2 Because of the scorching sun, while the other houses are in the shade!