The most famous street in Paris was built in the 17th century, but
did not attract fashionable society until after the French
Revolution. The avenue extends from the Arc de Triomphe
at one end to the Place de la Concorde at the other.
Champs-Elysées during the day with their heavy car
traffic and continuous pedestrian animation. People from
all over the world are going to the theater, shopping, going
to a restaurant or just walking and looking around : Lido
cabaretor trying to get past the bouncers at Queen, invest
it with a certain glitzy charm. For a glimpse of a more
elegant world, take a look at the mansions at the Rond-Point
and wander down Avenue Montaigne with its Haute Couture
houses including Chanel , Christian Dior, Guy Laroche, Thierry
Mugler. The lower half of the avenue toward the place de
la Concorde has a different character, with gardens and
smart restaurants running off either side. Between the Champs-Elysées
and elegant rue du Faubourg Saint Honore lie the vast gardens
of the Elysées Palace, home to the French President.
On the other side of the Avenue are the Petit Palais and
glass-domed Grand Palais, used for major art exhibitions,
and the adjoining science museum the Palais de la Découverte.
The new year's eve gathering, the 14th of July military
parade as well as the arrival of the Tour de France cycling
race in July are some of the events that regularly animate
the avenue.