Walk the Champs Elysees the most famous boulevard in Paris
Paris had been battered and bruised by various wars and greedy rulers, the city was extremely undesirable, Haussmann and Napoleon had the vision to make Paris beautiful again, by widening roads, creating boulevards, and creating the lines of symmetry to portray elegance around the city. The Champs Elysees is one of the world’s greatest and most elegant boulevards; used for many events throughout history. Military Marches, the Tour de France, and many tourists being able to see the triumphal Ach De Triomphe, at one end and in a perfect line of symmetry the Louvre with a playground of designer shops, the Place De La Concorde (home of the guillotine) and the Obelisk of Luxor in the middle.
Creating the Champs Elysees
The Champs Elysees is 1.2 km long and 70 m wide, there is a committee headed by Louis Vuitton that was formed in 1916 to promote the avenue. The committee still stands and it is the oldest in Paris. Laws in place that there are to be NO modern buildings; must stick to the same theme and design to keep it beautiful. Walk up one side and down the other; both sides have something that will blow you away. From the golden gates of the Abercrombie & Finch superstore to the Louis Vuitton megastore.
You might be thinking it’s just for people who like shopping, well yes and no. The Champs Elysees is mind-blowing; oozing wealth everywhere you feel like a bit of a movie star. You might even be lucky enough to rub shoulders with a real movie star. There are plenty of celebrity hangouts and glitzy nightclubs; one, in particular, the Lido Nightclub; this was made famous when Elvis Presley gave an impromptu concert with his army buddies. There are 5 cinemas long the Champs Elysees so plenty of entertainment for all.
Stay Calm, the Champs Elysees is a busy street!
Be mentally prepared! In the summertime, there are people EVERYWHERE imagine London’s oxford street on Black Friday sales. That’s the Champs Elysees during summer, just be prepared to have your personal space invaded. Stay calm and look out for your belongings.
There are so many different cafes along the Champs Elysees you almost feel spoilt for choice. Just keep in mind the average price of a coffee here is just under 5 Euros compared to 2.40; in other areas of Paris. If you’re on a budget try down the side streets that run off the Champs Elysees. There are beautiful family-run cafes in the smallest of streets, it is an absolute treat.
One café you MUST visit is Laduree; This is one of the oldest Patisseries in Paris and introduced their melt-in-the-mouth Macaroon in 1930. Famous worldwide and for good reason! The Café part is elegant and fancy which is a lovely spot for to people watch on the Champs Elysees. If you’re looking up the street towards the Arc De Triomphe; it will be halfway along on the left side.
One extreme to the other…….
It hurts to say this but you will see a Mcdonald’s on the avenue; this did not sit well with the Parisians. The Champs Elysees this was meant to be a prestigious street however they did agree to let the store open. McDonald’s had to change their arches to be white to portray sophistication. Nothing against McDonald’s but you are in France; where food is fresh and delicious please don’t settle for the same food you will find at home like McDonald’s.
Something Unique
Sephora Lovers
Sephora – not only do they have a HUGE store in the middle of the Champs Elysees; they do something special for their customers. All of the staff stand on either side of the red carpet and if you are one of the first people in the store; you get a standing ovation. Makes you feel like the star that you are.
For the Petrol Heads
Yes petrol heads you saw right along the Champs Elysees there are a number of different car dealerships; some of them are not your average showrooms they are more like interactive museums. You will come across Citroen, Toyota, Peugeot, Renault Mercedes, Ferrari, and the list goes on. Not only do you get to check out the museum of cars; the new cars coming on the market; the technology of the cars but some of the showrooms do fun quirky activities. Sit in an F1 Racecar, Play a virtual race game; jump in a photo booth and there is even a slide in the Citroen showroom; which winds down into a big ball pit. They do change their exhibitions all the time; so when you’re in Paris make sure you just wander in and check out what they have to offer.
You don’t have to be a million air to enjoy the beauty and glam of this boulevard just being here; seeing the extravagant shops, glitzy night clubs and taking in the atmosphere is worth its weight in gold. However, as you can well imagine the real-estate on this prestigious street is on the pricey side; If you have got a spare million Euros you could buy yourself a house here. The houses and shops along this street have annual rents that can get upwards of 1 million Euros per 100 square meters. This makes this the second most expensive strip of real estate in Europe, next to Bond Street in London.
Continue Down the Champs Elysees to the Place De La Concorde
Following the line of symmetry down the Champs Elysees through to the Place de la Concorde, you will come across a large square that has been shaped through many different situations in European History; from being drenched in blood from the guillotine to hosting amazing festivals, the home of the Obelisk of Luxor; the finish line of the Tour De France and finally the gorgeous square we have today. This is the largest square in Paris; ironically it is actually in the shape of an Octagonal. The whole area is 359m long, 212m wide, and was created in 1722.
These days the square is vibrant and busy; often home to large festivals, concerts, and markets. The whole area now is quite peaceful; when you stand in the middle of the square and marvel at the water fountain; just spare a thought for the dark past this area has come from. The amount of blood that was spilled in this very spot during the Revolution; by a guillotine. Over a 2.5 year period, more than 6,000 people were beheaded; including the last king Louis 16th and his wife Marie Antoinette in 1793.
What’s with the statues?
Many beautiful statues stand strong in the square; on entry, you will see two horses rearing up (coming from the Champs Elysees); it is said they represent that during the guillotine period; the square smelt so badly of blood that animals would refuse to walk through it.
There was a constant battle for the name of the square first was The Place de la Révolution; shortly became Place de la Concorde then once more as Place Louis XV. It was renamed Place Louis XVI and eventually Place de la Concorde in 1830! Renamed Concorde in the spirit of reconciliation and peace.
Obelisk of Luxor
The Obelisk of Luxor is the oldest monument in Paris. The monument was erected in the center of the Place de la Concorde on 25th October 1836.
The Obelisk of Luxor was given to the French by the Turks who stole it from the Egyptians. To say thank you to the Egyptians, the French gave them a clock that stopped working after 2 years. There is still bad blood between France and Egypt; over it and every year the Egyptians lobby for its return. The Obelisk of Luxor over 3,300 years old; the hieroglyphics portraying the reign of pharaohs. On the bottom plate; there are pictures to show how it was transported and installed in Paris. The amazing Obelisk of Luxor is made of pink granite; 23m high and weighs 230 tons. Sad to say that all of the damage to it has been done in the last 50 years
Stay Calm, the Champs Elysees is a busy street!
Be mentally prepared! In the summertime, there are people EVERYWHERE imagine London’s oxford street on Black Friday sales. That’s the Champs Elysees during summer, just be prepared to have your personal space invaded. Stay calm and look out for your belongings.
There are so many different cafes along the Champs Elysees you almost feel spoilt for choice. Just keep in mind the average price of a coffee here is just under 5 Euros compared to 2.40; in other areas of Paris. If you’re on a budget try down the side streets that run off the Champs Elysees. There are beautiful family-run cafes in the smallest of streets, it is an absolute treat.
One café you MUST visit is Laduree; This is one of the oldest Patisseries in Paris and introduced their melt-in-the-mouth Macaroon in 1930. Famous worldwide and for good reason! The Café part is elegant and fancy which is a lovely spot for to people watch on the Champs Elysees. If you’re looking up the street towards the Arc De Triomphe; it will be halfway along on the left side.
One extreme to the other…….
It hurts to say this but you will see a Mcdonald’s on the avenue; this did not sit well with the Parisians. The Champs Elysees this was meant to be a prestigious street however they did agree to let the store open. McDonald’s had to change their arches to be white to portray sophistication. Nothing against McDonald’s but you are in France; where food is fresh and delicious please don’t settle for the same food you will find at home like McDonald’s.
Something Unique
Sephora Lovers
Sephora – not only do they have a HUGE store in the middle of the Champs Elysees; they do something special for their customers. All of the staff stand on either side of the red carpet and if you are one of the first people in the store; you get a standing ovation. Makes you feel like the star that you are.
For the Petrol Heads
Yes petrol heads you saw right along the Champs Elysees there are a number of different car dealerships; some of them are not your average showrooms they are more like interactive museums. You will come across Citroen, Toyota, Peugeot, Renault Mercedes, Ferrari, and the list goes on. Not only do you get to check out the museum of cars; the new cars coming on the market; the technology of the cars but some of the showrooms do fun quirky activities. Sit in an F1 Racecar, Play a virtual race game; jump in a photo booth and there is even a slide in the Citroen showroom; which winds down into a big ball pit. They do change their exhibitions all the time; so when you’re in Paris make sure you just wander in and check out what they have to offer.
You don’t have to be a million air to enjoy the beauty and glam of this boulevard just being here; seeing the extravagant shops, glitzy night clubs and taking in the atmosphere is worth its weight in gold. However, as you can well imagine the real-estate on this prestigious street is on the pricey side; If you have got a spare million Euros you could buy yourself a house here. The houses and shops along this street have annual rents that can get upwards of 1 million Euros per 100 square meters. This makes this the second most expensive strip of real estate in Europe, next to Bond Street in London.
Continue Down the Champs Elysees to the Place De La Concorde
Following the line of symmetry down the Champs Elysees through to the Place de la Concorde, you will come across a large square that has been shaped through many different situations in European History; from being drenched in blood from the guillotine to hosting amazing festivals, the home of the Obelisk of Luxor; the finish line of the Tour De France and finally the gorgeous square we have today. This is the largest square in Paris; ironically it is actually in the shape of an Octagonal. The whole area is 359m long, 212m wide, and was created in 1722.
These days the square is vibrant and busy; often home to large festivals, concerts, and markets. The whole area now is quite peaceful; when you stand in the middle of the square and marvel at the water fountain; just spare a thought for the dark past this area has come from. The amount of blood that was spilled in this very spot during the Revolution; by a guillotine. Over a 2.5 year period, more than 6,000 people were beheaded; including the last king Louis 16th and his wife Marie Antoinette in 1793.
What’s with the statues?
Many beautiful statues stand strong in the square; on entry, you will see two horses rearing up (coming from the Champs Elysees); it is said they represent that during the guillotine period; the square smelt so badly of blood that animals would refuse to walk through it.
There was a constant battle for the name of the square first was The Place de la Révolution; shortly became Place de la Concorde then once more as Place Louis XV. It was renamed Place Louis XVI and eventually Place de la Concorde in 1830! Renamed Concorde in the spirit of reconciliation and peace.
Obelisk of Luxor
The Obelisk of Luxor is the oldest monument in Paris. The monument was erected in the center of the Place de la Concorde on 25th October 1836.
The Obelisk of Luxor was given to the French by the Turks who stole it from the Egyptians. To say thank you to the Egyptians, the French gave them a clock that stopped working after 2 years. There is still bad blood between France and Egypt; over it and every year the Egyptians lobby for its return. The Obelisk of Luxor over 3,300 years old; the hieroglyphics portraying the reign of pharaohs. On the bottom plate; there are pictures to show how it was transported and installed in Paris. The amazing Obelisk of Luxor is made of pink granite; 23m high and weighs 230 tons. Sad to say that all of the damage to it has been done in the last 50 years
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Paris had been battered and bruised by various wars and greedy rulers, the city was extremely undesirable, Haussmann and Napoleon had the vision to make Paris beautiful again, by widening roads, creating boulevards, and creating the lines of symmetry to portray elegance around the city. The Champs Elysees is one of the world’s greatest and most elegant boulevards; used for many events throughout history. Military Marches, the Tour de France, and many tourists being able to see the triumphal Ach De Triomphe, at one end and in a perfect line of symmetry the Louvre with a playground of designer shops, the Place De La Concorde (home of the guillotine) and the Obelisk of Luxor in the middle.
Creating the Champs Elysees
The Champs Elysees is 1.2 km long and 70 m wide, there is a committee headed by Louis Vuitton that was formed in 1916 to promote the avenue. The committee still stands and it is the oldest in Paris. Laws in place that there are to be NO modern buildings; must stick to the same theme and design to keep it beautiful. Walk up one side and down the other; both sides have something that will blow you away. From the golden gates of the Abercrombie & Finch superstore to the Louis Vuitton megastore.
You might be thinking it’s just for people who like shopping, well yes and no. The Champs Elysees is mind-blowing; oozing wealth everywhere you feel like a bit of a movie star. You might even be lucky enough to rub shoulders with a real movie star. There are plenty of celebrity hangouts and glitzy nightclubs; one, in particular, the Lido Nightclub; this was made famous when Elvis Presley gave an impromptu concert with his army buddies. There are 5 cinemas long the Champs Elysees so plenty of entertainment for all.
Stay Calm, the Champs Elysees is a busy street!
Be mentally prepared! In the summertime, there are people EVERYWHERE imagine London’s oxford street on Black Friday sales. That’s the Champs Elysees during summer, just be prepared to have your personal space invaded. Stay calm and look out for your belongings.
There are so many different cafes along the Champs Elysees you almost feel spoilt for choice. Just keep in mind the average price of a coffee here is just under 5 Euros compared to 2.40; in other areas of Paris. If you’re on a budget try down the side streets that run off the Champs Elysees. There are beautiful family-run cafes in the smallest of streets, it is an absolute treat.
One café you MUST visit is Laduree; This is one of the oldest Patisseries in Paris and introduced their melt-in-the-mouth Macaroon in 1930. Famous worldwide and for good reason! The Café part is elegant and fancy which is a lovely spot for to people watch on the Champs Elysees. If you’re looking up the street towards the Arc De Triomphe; it will be halfway along on the left side.
One extreme to the other…….
It hurts to say this but you will see a Mcdonald’s on the avenue; this did not sit well with the Parisians. The Champs Elysees this was meant to be a prestigious street however they did agree to let the store open. McDonald’s had to change their arches to be white to portray sophistication. Nothing against McDonald’s but you are in France; where food is fresh and delicious please don’t settle for the same food you will find at home like McDonald’s.
Something Unique
Sephora Lovers
Sephora – not only do they have a HUGE store in the middle of the Champs Elysees; they do something special for their customers. All of the staff stand on either side of the red carpet and if you are one of the first people in the store; you get a standing ovation. Makes you feel like the star that you are.
For the Petrol Heads
Yes petrol heads you saw right along the Champs Elysees there are a number of different car dealerships; some of them are not your average showrooms they are more like interactive museums. You will come across Citroen, Toyota, Peugeot, Renault Mercedes, Ferrari, and the list goes on. Not only do you get to check out the museum of cars; the new cars coming on the market; the technology of the cars but some of the showrooms do fun quirky activities. Sit in an F1 Racecar, Play a virtual race game; jump in a photo booth and there is even a slide in the Citroen showroom; which winds down into a big ball pit. They do change their exhibitions all the time; so when you’re in Paris make sure you just wander in and check out what they have to offer.
You don’t have to be a million air to enjoy the beauty and glam of this boulevard just being here; seeing the extravagant shops, glitzy night clubs and taking in the atmosphere is worth its weight in gold. However, as you can well imagine the real-estate on this prestigious street is on the pricey side; If you have got a spare million Euros you could buy yourself a house here. The houses and shops along this street have annual rents that can get upwards of 1 million Euros per 100 square meters. This makes this the second most expensive strip of real estate in Europe, next to Bond Street in London.
Continue Down the Champs Elysees to the Place De La Concorde
Following the line of symmetry down the Champs Elysees through to the Place de la Concorde, you will come across a large square that has been shaped through many different situations in European History; from being drenched in blood from the guillotine to hosting amazing festivals, the home of the Obelisk of Luxor; the finish line of the Tour De France and finally the gorgeous square we have today. This is the largest square in Paris; ironically it is actually in the shape of an Octagonal. The whole area is 359m long, 212m wide, and was created in 1722.
These days the square is vibrant and busy; often home to large festivals, concerts, and markets. The whole area now is quite peaceful; when you stand in the middle of the square and marvel at the water fountain; just spare a thought for the dark past this area has come from. The amount of blood that was spilled in this very spot during the Revolution; by a guillotine. Over a 2.5 year period, more than 6,000 people were beheaded; including the last king Louis 16th and his wife Marie Antoinette in 1793.
What’s with the statues?
Many beautiful statues stand strong in the square; on entry, you will see two horses rearing up (coming from the Champs Elysees); it is said they represent that during the guillotine period; the square smelt so badly of blood that animals would refuse to walk through it.
There was a constant battle for the name of the square first was The Place de la Révolution; shortly became Place de la Concorde then once more as Place Louis XV. It was renamed Place Louis XVI and eventually Place de la Concorde in 1830! Renamed Concorde in the spirit of reconciliation and peace.
Obelisk of Luxor
The Obelisk of Luxor is the oldest monument in Paris. The monument was erected in the center of the Place de la Concorde on 25th October 1836.
The Obelisk of Luxor was given to the French by the Turks who stole it from the Egyptians. To say thank you to the Egyptians, the French gave them a clock that stopped working after 2 years. There is still bad blood between France and Egypt; over it and every year the Egyptians lobby for its return. The Obelisk of Luxor over 3,300 years old; the hieroglyphics portraying the reign of pharaohs. On the bottom plate; there are pictures to show how it was transported and installed in Paris. The amazing Obelisk of Luxor is made of pink granite; 23m high and weighs 230 tons. Sad to say that all of the damage to it has been done in the last 50 years
