For many people this fine prestigious avenue epitomises French elegance,
but it is also a lively place of entertainment and a luxury shopping mall.
In the late 17th century, Le Notre designed a gently rising alleyway as
an extension to the Jardln des Tuileries. This later lost its rustic appearance
and became a fashionable avenue lined with elegant restaurants and cafes.
Nowadays it is the traditional venue for a variety of events such as the
Paris Marathon, the arrival of the Tour de France and the Bastille march
on 14 July, which celebrates France's national day. But 'Ies Champs' (the
fields) is also a place where people of all ages just relax and feel alive.
The lower section, stretching from the place de la Concorde (with breathtaking
views along the whole length of the avenue) to the Rand-Point des Champs-Elysees,
is laid out as an English-style park shaded by imposing chestnut trees.
On the left are the Grand and Petit Palals, two temples of the arts, while
on the right is a monument to the French Resistance hero, Jean Moulln,
who was reburied in the Pantheon on 19 December 1964.
The upper section stretches from the Rond--Point, designed by Le Notre,
to the Arc de Triomphe. This is the 'modern' part of the avenue, recently
refurbished, with its pavements now restored to their former comfortable
width. Banks, cinemas, airline offices, car showrooms and large cafes'
spread out on the pavements lining the way to the place de l'Etolle. Fashion
boutiques cluster along the arcades running between the Champs- Elysees
and the parallel rue de Ponthieu. Some shops remain open well into the
night and the bustle only quietens down in the early hours of the morning.
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