The Champs Elysees is a symbol of luxury and wealth in France and the world, one of the most fashionable streets in the world. Having seen it, every tourist has every right to say that they have seen Paris. The Champs Elysees is a very popular street in Paris, 80,000 people walk along it every hour. It is a kind of paradise on earth - wonderful landscapes, an abundance of colors, unusual architecture of palaces. This is what makes tourists return to the Champs Elysees again and again.
It should be said from the very beginning that the Fields Elysees (in French Champs Elysées) is just a name and there are no fields in it. It is simply a long avenue divided into two parts: one part is a park, and the other is an entertainment and commercial place.
The name comes from ancient Greek mythology: the word "Elysium" means "blessed hills" - wonderful fields in the other world, on the ocean shore, where the heroes beloved by the gods go after earthly life. On the hills of bliss it is always spring. There are no diseases, no suffering.
The Champs Elysees were first mentioned in the 16th century. In the past, there were marshy places here, where the king and nobles went to hunt ducks. In 1616, three alleys with elm trees appeared there by order of Marie de Medici. During the reign of Louis XVI, a pedestrian path was laid from the Tuileries Castle to Versailles, the area was dried out and trees were planted. Later, the road was reinforced and carts began to travel along it. Then the road was extended, and since 1789 it has received its current name. It should be noted that at that time, the Champs Elysees area was practically deserted and dangerous, so in 1777, a guard post was opened there. In 1828, the Champs Elysees became part of the Paris municipality, which marked the beginning of its development.
Every year on July 14, the Champs Elysees hosts a parade in honor of Bastille Day, and on November 11, events related to the end of World War I.
The length of the Champs Elysees is 1915 meters, the width is 71 meters. It starts from the Arc de Triomphe and ends at the Place de la Concorde.
From the Place de la Concorde to the Place Circular there is a promenade park 700 meters long and 300-400 meters wide.
The pedestrian area of the Champs Elysees ends at the Place Circular. Then there are restaurants, shops, banks, offices, cinemas and other buildings. The end point of the Champs Elysees is "Etoile" (Place Charles de Gaulle).
Walking along the Champs Elysees, you will see some important sights of Paris. In particular, the Arc de Triomphe:
More about the Arc de Triomphe =>>
The Elysee Palace, which was built in 1718-1722 and is now the residence of the President of France:
Great Palace (Grand Palais) is an exhibition center with glass roof:
Small Palace (Petit Palais) - art museum:
To get to the Champs Elysees, use:
- metro: lines 1 and 13 (Champs-Elysees-Clemenctau station); 1st line (George V station); 1st, 2nd, 6th lines (Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile station); 1st and 9th lines (Franklin D. Roosevelt station).
- bus №22, 30, 31, 52, 73, 92 - stop Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile; bus №24, 42, 52, 72, 84, 94 - stop Concorde.
© 2019-2024 All rights reserved.
Book your hotel cheaply!
Travel cheaply!
