Champs-Élysées, Paris

About the Champs-Élysées

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées runs through the 8th arrondissement, 1.9 kilometres long and 70 metres wide, from Place de la Concorde in the east to Place Charles de Gaulle, home of the Arc de Triomphe. The name means Elysian Fields, the paradise of heroes in Greek mythology.

It's known for its theatres, cafés and luxury shops, and as the finish of the Tour de France every year. Often called the most beautiful avenue in the world, it's an essential Paris walk.

What to see on the Champs-Élysées

• The lower gardens — walks, fountains and theatres by Concorde.
• The Grand and Petit Palais — exhibition halls nearby.
• Boutiques and flagship stores — on the upper stretch.
• Café terraces — the classic Paris stroll.
• The Arc de Triomphe view — from the middle of the avenue.
• Christmas lights — illuminated trees in winter.

The two halves of the avenue

The Champs-Élysées has two very different halves. The lower stretch, from Place de la Concorde to the Rond-Point, is a garden of chestnut avenues, fountains, pavilions and theatres, quiet and shady, with the glass-roofed Grand and Petit Palais nearby, built for the 1900 World's Fair.

The upper stretch, from the Rond-Point to the Arc de Triomphe, has wide pavements, big-name boutiques, flagship stores, cinemas, restaurants and café terraces. It's always busy, and in the evening shop windows and streetlights give it a festive feel.

Place de la Concorde and the historic axis

At the lower end spreads Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris, with an Egyptian obelisk from Luxor and two fountains. Beyond it begins the Tuileries Garden, leading to the Louvre. So the Champs-Élysées forms part of the historic axis, a straight line across central Paris from the Louvre to La Défense.

From the traffic islands in the middle of the avenue comes the classic view: the Arc de Triomphe on its rise one way, the obelisk and gardens the other. It's one of the most photographed spots in Paris, especially at sunset.

The avenue in winter and on special days

From late November to early January the trees along the avenue are strung with thousands of lights, making the Champs-Élysées one of Europe's loveliest Christmas streets. A Christmas market sometimes opens in the lower gardens.

On the first Sunday of the month part of the avenue is sometimes closed to traffic, letting you stroll down the roadway itself. In late July the Tour de France finishes here, with thousands of spectators lining the route for the final stage.

Tips for your walk

Café prices on the avenue itself are high, so eat on side streets. Shops on the upper stretch open on Sundays too, a rarity in Paris.

Keep your belongings close in the crowds, as pickpockets work here like at other busy sights. The avenue is lively and safe in the evening and especially beautiful when lit up.

With children, the lower gardens with their avenues and carousel are pleasant, followed by Place de la Concorde and the Tuileries with a Ferris wheel and playgrounds.

Places in Paris: compare and choose

Places in Paris rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.

Nearby and on the way

34

Seine river cruise

Paris, France

1 h · ≈ 1-hour cruise, dinner costs more · 11 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Seine river cruise

51

Pont Alexandre III

Paris, France

20 min · Free · 14 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Pont Alexandre III

62

Arc de Triomphe

Paris, France

1 h · Roof on a ticket · 18 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Arc de Triomphe

60

Place de la Concorde

Paris, France

30 min · Free · 19 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Place de la Concorde

How to do it right

• Walk it downhill.
• Eat on side streets.
• Lights in the trees in winter.
• Pickpockets in crowds.

Questions