The Avenue de Champs-Élysées forms part of Paris’ “axis of history”, and as such is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Paris. It runs for 2 kilometres (1.25 miles) through the 8th district in northwestern Paris, from the Place de la Concorde in the east, with its famous obelisk, to the Place Charles de Gaulle (formerly l'Étoile) in the west, location of the Arc de Triomphe.
For a quiet beginning to your Champs Elysées adventure, you may wish to start at the lower half and work your way up to the amazing shopping and monuments above. (More about shopping below!) Seeking apartment rentals in Paris is a wonderful way to start your journey. After all, the lower part of the Champs-Élysées is bordered by greenery (Marigny Square) and by majestic buildings such as the Théâtre Marigny and the Grand Palais (containing the Palais de la Découverte). The Elysée 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. It makes for a fine journey on foot.
But first a note on history. The Champs-Elysées were originally fields and market gardens, until the early 17th century. Marie de Medici created a plan to extend the garden the Palais des Tuileries with an avenue of trees. Even as late as the early 18th century, maps of Paris shows that a short stretch of roads and fields and market garden plots still separated the Tuileries from the planted "Avenue des Thuilleries", although already it was planted with some avenues of trees radiating from it that led to the river through woods and fields. In 1724, the Tuileries garden axis and the avenue were connected and extended, leading beyond the Place de l'Étoile; the open parkland of the "Elysian Fields" (the heavenly paradise of Greek mythology) were soon filled in with groves of trees formally planted in straight rank and file.
By the late 1700s, the Champs-Elysées had become a fashionable district. Even then, Paris vacation apartments rent abounded. The little grove plantings on either side had thickened enough to be given formal rectangular glades (“cabinets de verdure”). The gardens of houses built along the Faubourg St-Honoré backed onto the formal groves. The grandest of them was the Élysée Palace. Queen Marie Antoinette drove with her friends and took music lessons at the grand Hôtel de Crillon. When the Champs-Elysées became city property in 1828, gas lighting, fountains and walking paths were added.
Nowadays, the Champs-Élysées is the most prestigious and broadest avenue in Paris. Its many cinemas, cafés, and luxury specialty shops make it one of the most famous streets in the world. The Syndicat d'Initiative et de Défense des Champs-Élysées, the collective of merchants, was formed in 1860 to protect and promote the avenue, which became an association in 1916 headed by Louis Vuitton. In 1980, the group changed its name to the Comité des Champs-Élysées. It is the oldest single committee in Paris. It has always dedicated itself to enhancing the avenue's charms and regal atmosphere, and to lobby for extended business hours. Today, the committee still has approval over the addition of new business to the avenue.
Because of its size and proximity to several Parisian landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysées is busy late into the evening. Cinemas, nightclubs and restaurants attract a 24-hour clientele. For late-night shopping and gourmet takeout food, visit the Drugstore Publicis, open late. You may find it’s an easy walk from your charming apartment rentals in Paris.
Every year on Bastille Day, the largest military parade in Europe passes down the Champs-Élysées. Beginning in late November, the Committee of the Champs-Elysées coordinates the holiday lighting of the famous avenue. Huge and spontaneous gatherings occasionally take place on the Champs-Élysées in celebration of popular events, such as New Year's Eve, or commemorating France’s victory in the 1998 World Cup. And of course, the Champs-Elysées is the traditional ending place of the Tour de France, watched by millions worldwide.
Over the years, the avenue has undergone many modifications, most recently in 1994, when the sidewalks were made more broad. Few residents per se live on the Champs-Élysées, due to enormously expensive rent (the highest is Europe and second-highest in the world, surpassed only by Fifth Avenue in New York). As a result, the upper stories tend to be occupied by office space. Rents are particularly high on the North side of the avenue, due to better sunlight. Luckily, your apartment rentals 8th arrondissement in Paris, Champs Elysées is the perfect way to see it like a local without having to break the bank!
Finally (but definitely not low on anyone’s list!), the avenue is one of the most famous shopping districts in the world, for very good reason. Traditionally home of some of the world’s most luxury brands, the Champs Elysées has the biggest Louis Vuitton department store in the world, which features its own exhibition room. Continental Europe’s largest Gap and Virgin Megastores can also be found here, as well as major spaces for Sephora, Benetton, Nike, Zara, the Disney Store and Adidas’ largest location. Nike’s concept store, "Nike Paris", can be found on the south side of this famous avenue.
Many stores, including Gap, Morgan, Zara, have their after-summer sales in late September and early October, and it’s a great time for some amazing deals.
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