Place de la ConcordeWest
to the Arc de Triomphe

The Avenue des Champs Elysees runs westward from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.

Looking west from Place de la Concorde, one can easily see the Arc de Triomphe, 2.2 kilometers away. On a relatively clear day, from the same vantage point, one can see beyond and through the Arc de Triomphe to the Grand Arche de la Défense, 6 kilometers in the distance.

Champs Elysées literally means "Elysian Fields", which in Greek mythology is the Kingdom of the Dead and seen by Greeks to be a lovely resting place for the souls of heros and other worthy people.

Before the 17th century, the area of the Avenue and Gardens of the Champs-Elysees was fields and vegetable gardens and was outside of City walls. The first development was in 1628 when Marie de Medici created the Cours de la Reine along the banks of the Seine river by planting trees and creating a promenade.

In 1670, Pierre le Nôtre developed a promenade, the Grand Cours, extending westsward from the Palais des Tuileries to the small hill of Chaillot. This was done in hopes of persuading King Louis XIV to remain in Paris. It didn't work. King Louis XIV moved from the Louvre to his chateau in Versailles.

During the early 1700s, the marquis de Marigny, soon to be the duc d'Antin, extended the Grand Cours of Le Notre's from where it ended, at the now Rond Point des Champs-Elysées, to the top of the hill Chaillot where now sits the Arc de Triomphe. He had soldiers planting elm trees to the beating of a drum.

By 1724, this avenue of trees and promenade had developed into a street with a length of what it is today, 2.2 kilometers, and was becoming a fashionable walking lane.

In 1792, it became national property. On both sides of the avenue were planted more trees and gardens.

In 1828, the Champ-Elysées became city property and footpaths, fountains and gas lights were installed. This brought along the development of cafés, restaurants and theatres.

In 1858, Alphand developed the Jardins des Champs-Elysées into an English-styled garden with large lawns and rare trees.

The Avenue has been progressively developed and embellished over the years, most recently in 1993 when the sidewalks were widened.

Gardens of the Champs Elysees

From Place de la Concorde, head westward, towards the Arc de Triomphe, and you'll be walking on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, the most famous street in Paris.

On both corners, marking the beginning of this avenue since 1789, vaulted on high pedastels designed by David, are sculptures of the Marly horses, constructed by Guillaume Cousteau in 1745, commissioned by Louis XIV. These, however, are replicas. The originals are in the Louvre Museum.

By staying on the right (north) side of the street and you'll find a wide, tree-shaded sidewalk. Along this sidewalk are some concession booths selling crêpes and cold drinks as well as crowds of tourists.

You can, however, branch off to the right and walk among the trees and the flowers in the Garden of the Champs-Elysées. It's a recommended move.

You won't lose any time and you'll gain quality time, along with finding many benches for resting and enjoying all the statues, the fountains and the flowers in the Garden.

Among the trees you'll encounter will be a Giant Sequoia, firs, yews and Japanese Sophora. There are also several memorial trees planted, such as the cedar planted by Mayor Tiberi in Feburary, 1996, to the memory of the fallen Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzak Rabin.

You'll see the Giant Sequoia just after turning off of the sidewalk. Just beyond it is the Espace Pierre Chardin, home of the Avant-Garde during the 1970s. This stylish building doubles as a restaurant and as a theatre.

There is a lovely fountain featuring the statue of a tall, elegant woman washing her hair situated between the Espace Pierre Cardin and it's neighbor, the Pavillion Gabriel, which is used for television programming.

Opposite the Pavillion Gabriel, towards the Champs-Elysées, is a public restroom.

Further down from the Pavallion Gabriel is the Pavillon Elysée, built for the World Exhibition of 1900, a world renown restaurant and tea room. It's a lovely little building with a statue of Cupid on top.

Behind the Pavillon Elysée and across the Avenue Gabriel are the backyard gardens of the Embassies of the United States and the United Kingdom; the entrances to these embassies are located on rue Faubourg St. Honoré. Due to the wall-like fence and all of it's covering foliage, these buildings are almost impossible to see. A little further down is the garden of the Palais de l'Elysée, the residence of the French President. The garden is distinguished by a tall and ornate wrought-iron gate.

A few steps westward and you will arrive at Avenue Marigny.

Across this avenue is the Théâtre Marigny, designed by Charles Garnier. It is one of the better known theatres in Paris, billing top name artists. Next to the theatre is a fountain of four cherubs representing the four seasons. Opposite the fountain is a small children's playground.

Then, the Pavillon Laurent. This is the place to drop $100+ for lobster and salad. On Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, behind this pavillion, on the sidewalk of Avenue Gabriel, is the stamp market, where old and unusual stamps are sold.

Just beyond the Pavillon Laurent is a carrousel that opens daily at 2:30 p.m.

Next to the carrousel is the Théâtre Vrai Guignols, featuring the oldest puppet theatre in Paris.

This small outdoor theatre was established in 1818. At 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays the little spectator benches are filled with children and adults enjoying theatre in one of it's oldest forms.

It is a wonderful place to stop and enjoy the moment before heading on to the commercial section of the Avenue des Champs-Elysées. For further information try www.theatreguignol.fr or theatreguignol@wanado.fr.

Avenue des Champs-Elysées

We have now reached Rond Point des Champs-Elysées, a traffic circle, which deserves a look. Normally, there is a stunning floral display on each of the four major points of this round-about. If there isn't something wonderful to look at, come back the next day. A well-groomed grassy area could change into a tropical paradise over-night.

The Rond-Point divides the Champs-Elysées into two distinct halves. The eastern half, which you just walked through, is gardens and theatres. The western half is a street of business.

From the Rond Point to the Arc de Triomphe, the Avenue des Champs-Elysées is lined with elegant clothing stores, expensive restaurants, fast-food places, cafés, money exchange booths, department stores, Virgin Records, Disney Store, movie theatres and car show-rooms. At the top of the Champs-Elysée (you will notice the incline of the small hill Chaillot) is the Arc de Triomphe.

Walking back on the south side of the Champs-Elysées, which will now be slightly downhill, you will pass even more cafés, shops and restaurants, including Le Fouquet's, established in 1901, where celebrities are regular diners. Once again, you will arrive at Rond Point des Champs-Elysées.

Branching off from Rond Point to the right (south) is Avenue Montaigne which features such shops as Gucci, Prado and other high-end boutiques.

Once you've crossed Rond Point you will see the Théâtre Rond Point, built in the shape of a rotunda. It was formerly the Palais des Glaces, Palace of Mirrors. It was designed by Davioud and inaugurated in 1860. It also has a theatrical library.

Continuing on brings you to Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt. By walking south (to the right) on this avenue you will come to the main entrance of the Palais de la Découverte where, on both sides of the door, are large bronze horses. The Palais de la Découverte is an interactive science museum, complete with a planeterium.

Further down this avenue, toward the Seine and the Invalides bridge, you will come to an enchanting little grotto which has a small water-fall and pond. Walking through here will bring you to Avenue Winston Churchill where on the corner is a bronze statue of Churchill. Here, also, is a fine view of the ornate Alexander III bridge and, across the river, the Eglise du Dôme, which houses Napoleon's tomb.

Taking a left on Avenue Winston Chruchill will bring you up to the main entrance of the Grand Palais. The Grand Palais houses temporary art and cultural exhibits. It is marked by the now-turned-green bronze sculptures of horses and chariots on two of its rooftop corners, along with many sculptures in bas-relief along its walls. It also is distinguished by its enormous glass roof which has just been renovated.

Across Avenue Winston Churchill is the Petit Palais, the Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris, the Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris. It has just completed a 4 year renovation and is quite a stunning building. Admission to its permanent collection is free.

You have now arrived at Place Clemenceau where you'll find the metro station Champs-Elysées-Clémenceau on metro lines #1 and #13, as well as a statue of General Charles de Gaulle, positioned as if he, too, is strolling down the Champs-Elysées.

The pavillion just east of the Petit Palais, further down the Champs-Elysées, is the Ledoyen. It is primarily used for private parties. It is very easy to enjoy the festive ambience if you happen to be passing by while a "soirée" is going on.

From here it's just a few steps through the park back to the Place de la Concorde and the Obelisk of Luxor and its fountains. In the far north-east corner of the Place is the entrance to the Concorde metro station, lines #1, #8 and #12.

Directly east of the Obelisk is the gated entrance to the Tuileries Garden, one of the largest and most historical parks in Paris.

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