Nicknamed ‘the most beautiful avenue in the world’, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is a must when visiting the capital. Tourists and Parisians alike stroll along this emblematic stretch of almost 2 kilometres, between Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe, at any time of day or night, summer or winter. As much a symbol of Paris as the Eiffel Tower, it is packed with restaurants, luxury brands (Louis Vuitton, Mont-Blanc, Guerlain, the Ferrari showroom, Galeries Lafayette, etc.), flagship shops and clubs. Every year, it is the setting for some of the world's biggest events, including the 14 July parade, the arrival of the Tour de France and the Christmas illuminations. The Champs-Élysées avenue is also home to a number of major museums, including the Grand and Petit Palais and the Palais de la Découverte. The fountains on the Champs-Élysées roundabout - six 13-metre-high creations in bronze and crystal - are the work of the Bourroulec brothers. The highlight of the visit is the climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, where the panoramic view is spectacular! The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists… on the first Sunday of every month, coinciding with free admission for all to many museums in Paris and the Île-de-France region. Since 9 June 2016, a free Wi-Fi service has been available on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
Did you know?
The Champs-Élysées left its mark on Olympic history by hosting the parades of the French delegations after the 2008 Games in Beijing and the 2012 Games in London, as well as transforming itself into the "Olympic Fields" in 2005, attracting a million visitors with specially installed sports facilities, and serving as the setting for the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games in 2024.
