Description of the attraction
Champs Elysees is the most famous and de facto main street in Paris. Here are the most expensive and luxurious restaurants, military parades are held here on the days of national holidays in France, millions of tourists from all over the world flock here.
The street cannot be called ancient: until the beginning of the 17th century, there were swamps where French kings hunted ducks. In the second half of the century, a royal palace appeared here, the first houses grew up. By the beginning of the 19th century, only half a dozen buildings could be seen on the avenue.
On March 29, 1814, Empress Marie-Louise fled from Paris, which was captured by the troops of the anti-French coalition. Russian Cossacks bivouacked exactly on the Champs Elysees and practically ruined them. A few years later, expensive mansions appeared here, asphalt was laid, gas lighting was arranged.
The Champs Elysees stretch exactly from east to west from the Place de la Concorde to the Place de la Star (Charles de Gaulle) with its colossal Arc de Triomphe. The arch was built in 1836 to commemorate the victory of Napoleon at Austerlitz, with it the street gained greatness. During the era of urban planning reforms of Baron Haussmann, the architect Hittorf arranged magnificent gardens on the Champs Elysees. The Fields hosted the World Exhibitions of 1844, 1855, 1867, 1900.
The highway, 1915 meters long, is conventionally divided into two sections: park and business. Between the Concorde and Round squares there is a 700-meter long walking park with beautiful fountains. Next begins the "shop" part of the Champs Elysees with sidewalks 22 meters wide each. Banks, airline offices, chic cinemas, restaurants and shops are concentrated here. There is a very expensive Russian restaurant "Rasputin", the famous cabaret "Lido", the editorial office of the newspaper "Figaro".
The Champs Elysees is the residence of the President of France. The local cinemas host world premieres of films with the participation of stars. The final stage of the famous cycling race Le tour de France also finishes here. Traditionally, it is here that crowds of Parisians gather in the days of "national jubilation" - for example, on July 12, 1998, when France won the World Cup, more than 3 million people gathered on the Fields.
On a note
- Location: Champs-Élysées, Paris
- Nearest metro stations: "Concorde" lines M1, M8, M12; "Champs-Élysées" lines M1, M13; Franklin D. Roosevelt lines M1, M9; "George V" line M1; "Charles de Gaulle - Étoile" lines M1, M2, M6.
- Official website:
