Champs-Élysées
Address
Champs-Élysées
GPS
48.8684237, 2.3070032444603
Wide, centrally located avenue in Paris, almost 2 kilometers long, Champs-Élysées is stretched between Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde.
Up to the early 17th century, this area was just open fields (‘Champs’), until Marie de Medici, Queen of France and second wife of King Henry IV of France, ordered creation of the avenue. It was designed by the architect Georges Haussmann and Jacques Hittorff.
Quick facts
- Name: Champs-Élysées
- Location: Paris, France
- Established 1864
- Type of attraction: Avenue/Areat
- Ticket price: Free
Today it is the main pedestrian, shopping and restaurant area of Paris. It is also filled with many attractions situated directly on the avenue or just on the side, starting with famous Arc de Triomphe and all the way to Tuileries Garden, in front of Louvre Museum.
The avenue runs for 1.91 km (1.19 mi) through the 8th arrondissement in northwestern Paris, from the Place de la Concorde in the east, via the Obelisk of Luxor, to the Place Charles de Gaulle (formerly the Place de l’Étoile) in the west, where the Arc de Triomphe stands. The Axe historique runs from the Arc de Triomphe to the Champs-Élysées.
The southern part of the Champs-Élysées, beginning at the Place de la Concorde and extending all the way to the Rond-Point, runs through the Jardin des Champs-Élysées, a large park which contains the Grand Palais, the Petit Palais, the Théâtre Marigny, and several restaurants, gardens, and monuments.
The Élysée Palace, the official residence of the President of France, is on the side of the park, but it does not border the park’s Avenue. The Champs-Élysées ends at the Arc de Triomphe, which is situated at the base of the triumphal arch constructed to honor Napoleon Bonaparte’s victories.
Interesting facts about Champs-Élysées
Here are some interesting facts about this famous avenue:
- The avenue of Champs-Elysees is one among the twelve avenues that originates from the Arc de Triomphe.
- Due to its width of 70 meters, and great position, it is the main avenue for parades, especially for Bastille Day Military Parade.
- The avenue is also the ending destination of the famous Tour de France, since 1975
