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 on the Chamwith 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)
Ultimately, the Champs Elysées, built over several centuries, holds a special place in the organization of the Paris conurbation. They are the direct link between the heart of Paris and the escape to the provinces. They are aligned with the Palais du Louvre, the equestrian statue of Louis XIV, the Cour Napoléon of the Louvre (from the Pyramid), the Arche de la Défense (and the Défense district). This axis is known as the “historical axis”. In the time of the first Capetian kings (year 1000), it was a simple straight path for hunting in the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
The Champs-Elysées are divided into Champs-Elysées of the city (Upper part, 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. And, at the end of the walk, on your left (opposite the Seine river) when you arrive at Place de la Concorde, you'll find the Hôtel de la Marine museum, a sumptuous palace to visit. For reservations click on Hotel de la Marine.
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