The Champs-Élysées is a popular tourist destination for an afternoon of shopping and taking in French culture.
The Champs-Élysées of Paris is considered one of the most famous and beautiful streets in the world. This avenue is home to many of the most important historical monuments in Paris. Originally commissioned by Louis XIV, the Champs-Élysées was made up of a group of fields, which is how it got its name, which translates to “Elysian Fields.” Later in the 17th century, the Champs-Élysées was rebuilt at the bidding of Marie de Medici into the famous avenue of today. Because the Champs-Élysées has a rich history as well as the many restaurants, boutiques, and high-end stores, it is a popular tourist destination for an afternoon of shopping and taking in French culture.
Designer Collections
The Champs-Élysées is one of the shopping capitals of the world because it is filled with stores featuring the work of many world-renowned French designers. You will find many designer brands in clothing, shoes, handbags, and more. You will find familiar names like Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy. Additionally, you can find Lanvin, the oldest fashion houses in Paris, and Galeries Lafayette, a popular French department store with a spectacular rooftop view.
Enjoy the Sights
Walking the Champs-Élysées is a beautiful experience because the tree-lined streets offer the perfect balance of the natural aesthetic against the urban chic. You will behold many famous French buildings and monuments around the Champs-Élysées. This avenue travels in a straight line from the Louvre and through the Place de la Concorde and Jardin des Tuileries. The Champs-Élysées ends at the Arc de Triomphe, which has a view of Paris from the top that some say rivals the view from the Eiffel Tower. If you happen to be in Paris in the summer, you should stay to witness the Bastille Day parade in July, which is the largest military parade in Europe.
Parisian Delicacies
Among the upscale stores on the Champs-Élysées, you can easily find a large number of restaurants, cafes, and patisseries. Among the hundreds of places to enjoy French cuisine is the Lasserre, an elegant, black-tie restaurant that has been visited by many celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn, Salvador Dalí, Brigitte Bardot, and Robert De Niro. Or you can visit Fouquet’s, one of the most famous restaurants in Paris, that offers traditional brasserie cuisine. If you are looking for more casual selections, then you can find a relaxed bistro, like Mamou near the historic Palais Garnier opera house, for a reasonable price.
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