The Champs-Élysées is the most prestigious and broadest avenue in Paris. Its full name is "Avenue des Champs-Élysées". With its cinemas, cafés, and luxury specialty shops, the Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous streets in the world, and with sky high rents it remains the 2nd most expensive strip of real estate in the world (the first in Europe) after New York City's Fifth Avenue. The name is in reference to the Elysian Fields, the place of the blessed in Italian mythology.
The Champs-Élysées is known in France as La plus belle avenue du monde ("The most beautiful avenue in the world"). The arrival of global chain stores in recent years has slightly changed the character of the avenue.
Every year on Bastille Day, the largest military parade in Europe passes down the Champs-Élysées, reviewed by the President of the French Republic. Annually the 'Champs-Elysees' Committee contributes to the Holidays seasons lighting of the Champs-Elysees from the beginning of November to end of the December. The Champs-Elysées is also the traditional end of the last stage of the Tour de France. Huge and spontaneous gatherings occasionally take place on the Champs-Élysées in celebration of popular events, such as New Year's Eve, or when France won the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
This impressive avenue stretches from the Place the la Concorde to the Place Charles de Gaulle, the site of the Arc de Triomphe. At its western end the Champs-Elysées is bordered by cinemas, theaters, cafés and luxury shops. Near the Place de la Concorde, the street is bordered by the Jardins des Champs-Elysées, beautifully arranged gardens with fountains and some grand buildings including the Grand and Petit Palais at the southern side and the Elysée at its northern side.
The Avenue des Champs-Elysees is located is one of the tourist hotspots on the romantic city of Paris. It is therefore no wonder that many
hotels in Paris can be found in this area. Some of them being modern new establishments and others offer the rustic historic charm of the famed French City.
About the Author
Naveen Marasinghe is an Online Marketing Executive at eMarketingEye which is a
search engine marketing company that offers integrated Internet marketing solutions and specializes in serving the online travel and hospitality industry.
