neighborhood
Champs-Élysées
"The world's most beautiful avenue" runs 1.9 km from Concorde to the Étoile.
History & context
Laid out from 1667 by André Le Nôtre as an extension of the Tuileries, the avenue was first called the 'Grand-Cours'. It took the name Champs-Élysées — the 'Elysian Fields' of Greek mythology — in 1709, becoming the royal axis linking the Louvre to the Chaillot hill.
In the 19th century, under Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann, it turned into a fashionable avenue lined with mansions, cafés, theatres and restaurants. The Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806, crowns its western end.
It still hosts the 14 July military parade, the final stage of the Tour de France and the Christmas lights. The upper half is now highly commercial (global flagship stores); the lower half, between the Rond-Point and Concorde, keeps its gardens, palaces and theatres.
Key facts
- Built
- 1667 (laid out) · 1709 (current name)
- Architect
- André Le Nôtre
- Style
- Classical Haussmannian axis
- District
- 8th — Concorde ↔ Étoile
Why visit
- ·Paris's ceremonial axis, aligned with the Louvre, Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe.
- ·The framed view of the Arc from the Rond-Point down the avenue.
- ·The evening lights, especially from November to January.
- ·A safe bet on a first trip to Paris: easy to find, wide pedestrian sidewalks, obvious landmarks.
- ·The mix of Belle Époque palaces (Grand Palais, Petit Palais) and global flagship stores.
What to see
- ·Arc de Triomphe
- ·Place de la Concorde
- ·Grand Palais & Petit Palais
- ·Luxury boutiques
Practical tips
- ·Walk from Concorde toward the Arc
- ·Upper section is very commercial
- ·Bastille Day and Christmas transform it
Best photo spots
- ·From the south sidewalk of the Rond-Point: classic framing of the Arc de Triomphe.
- ·At golden hour, sunlight hits the Arc head-on — the best shot of the day.
- ·From pedestrian crossings between George V and Franklin-Roosevelt — only on green, mind the traffic.
- ·After dark, once the shop windows light up, tight shots along the south-side façades.
Good to know
- ·Best way to see it: walk from Concorde toward the Arc de Triomphe (1.9 km, about 30 min at a steady pace).
- ·For genuinely good food, step one street off the avenue (rue de Ponthieu, rue La Boétie, rue Jean-Mermoz).
- ·Loop back along a quieter parallel street (Marbeuf, Franklin-Roosevelt) or take metro line 1 the whole length.
- ·The avenue is closed to cars every first Sunday of the month — perfect for walking down the middle.
- ·14 July and Tour de France: sidewalks fill from the morning; Christmas lights run from mid-November to early January.
Schedules and tickets may change. Check the official website before booking.
Anu's insider tip
Walk from Concorde up to the Arc, then loop back on a parallel street (Marbeuf, Franklin-Roosevelt) — quieter and more local.
With family
Sidewalks are wide and stroller-friendly; public toilets are rare — plan a break at the Grand Palais or a café.
What to avoid
Eating at random on the avenue (overpriced and average), Saturday afternoon at peak shopping, and expecting old romantic Paris — that's not here.
Frequently asked
＋Is it really worth it?
＋How long should I plan?
＋Should I climb the Arc de Triomphe?
Itineraries with this place
Nearby
Arc de Triomphe
Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honor the Grande Armée, it crowns the Place de l'Étoile at the top of the Champs-Élysées.
Tuileries Garden
Paris's first public garden, designed by Le Nôtre, between the Louvre and Concorde.
Louvre Museum
The world's largest museum and former royal palace, the Louvre holds 35,000 works including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.
Musée d'Orsay
A Belle Époque train station turned museum, Orsay holds the world's largest Impressionist collection.