Champs-Elysées of Paris: an avenue of only 2 km from the Arc-de-Triomphe to Concord Square, known of the whole world (75008 Paris)
The Champs-Elysées is one of the most visited sites in Paris with 300,000 visitors per day. It takes its name from the Champs Elysees, the place in the Underworld where the virtuous souls stayed in Greek mythology.
Origin of the Champs-Elysées of Paris
In 1616, Queen Marie de Médicis had a long alley built along the Seine, starting from the southern corner of the gardens of her Tuileries Palace, lined with elm and lime trees and called the Cours la Reine.
The current layout of the Champs-Elysées
By a decree dated August 24, 1667, the son of Marrie de Médicis, King Louis XIV, commissioned André Le Nôtre to open a path in the axis of the central pavilion of the Tuileries Palace. This was to facilitate the passage of his courtiers' carriages to the royal estate of Saint-Germain-en-Laye and the Palace of Versailles under construction. It is called the "Grand-Cours" to distinguish it from the Cours la Reine which is almost parallel. The name "Champs Elysées" is definitively used only in 1709. The course ends then at mid-distance of the avenue of today, at the height of the current Rond-Point Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The extension of the Champs-Elysées
In 1710, the superintendent of the King's Buildings had a stone bridge built over the Grand Sewer located at the level of today's rue Marbeuf. This bridge made it possible to extend (1724) the avenue to what was then called "l'Etoile de Chaillot" (Place Charles de Gaulle or Etoile). The current final layout of the Champs Elysées was born.
But it was then a bad district that remained so until the Revolution.
The birth of the Champs-Elysées of Paris
The popularity of the Champs Elysees begins indeed with demonstrations linked to the fall of the royalty and Louis XVI, in 1789 and 1791.
It is then under the Empire a place of an elegant walk, point of passage to go to take the air in the countryside, towards Longchamp. It is also in 1810 the entry in Paris of Marie Louise of Austria at the time of her marriage with Napoleon and it is 4 years later the parade of the coalition troops which beat the Emperor at Waterloo.
The Champs-Elysées of Paris until today
The 19th century is more peaceful with the development of the avenue by Jacques Hittorff. The Second Empire is a period of prosperity for the Champs Elysees. The avenue, lined with luxurious residences, became the high place of the Parisian elegant life. It also leads to the Obelisk of Luxor erected in the middle of the Place de la Concorde, on October 25, 1836.
It is on August 26, 1944, with the liberation of Paris from the German troops that the history repeats with the descent of the Champs Elysées of the General de Gaulle of return in liberator.
Finally on May 30, 1968, in reaction to the student and union crisis, a large demonstration in support of President Charles de Gaulle went up the Champs Elysees, bringing together between 300,000 and 500,000 people (or even 1 million people?)
The avenue des Champs Elysées was the object of important redevelopment between 1992-1994.
An exceptional location and the historical perspective of Champs-Elysées (Historical axis)
Au final, les Champs Elysées construit sur plusieurs siècles tient une place spéciale dans l'organisation de l'agglomération parisienne. Ils sont le lien direct entre le cœur de Paris et l'échappée vers la province. Ils sont en effet alignés sur le Palais du Louvre, la statue équestre de Louis XIV, la cour Napoléon du Louvre (de la Pyramide), l'Arc de triomphe du Carrousel, le jardin des Tuileries, l'Obélisque de Louxor, l'Arc de Triomphe, et plus loin encore à l'ouest, en dehors de Paris, l'Arche de la Défense (et le quartier de la défense). Cet axe est appelé "l'axe historique". Il était au temps des premiers rois Capétiens (An 1000) un simple chemin en ligne droite pour aller chasser dans la forêt de Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
Les Champs-Elysées se partagent en Champs-Elysées de la ville (Partie haute, economy and big brands, Haute couture and luxury) and Champs-Elysées of gardens and fields (Lower part). The national demonstrations take place along its entire length from the Arc-de-Triomphe to the Concord square
A guided walk along the Champs-Elysées - already in your cell phone!
A guided and commented walk is available directly from your phone. This walk starts at the Arc-de-Triomphe and ends at Place de la Concorde and includes "21 points of interest" with commentary as if you had your own Personal Guide. Just click here
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