Experience Paris from the centre of the city when you stay at Hotel Bowmann. Our central luxury hotel in Paris is just a short distance away from Champs Elysées, one of the most famous avenues in the world. You’ll discover upscale shopping, charming cafes, and lush gardens, and Parisian heritage on the avenue.
What is the Champs Elysées?
Champs Elysées is one of the most iconic avenues in Paris, and perhaps the world. The historic avenue has origins dating back as early as the 17th Century as a result of city planning and has been extended over the centuries to its current length and status.
Located in the 8th Arrondissement of Paris, Champs Elysées is a major avenue and pedestrian walkway that stretches approximately 2-kilometers. On one end of the avenue is the Obelisk of Luxor, and on the other is the Arc de Triomphe.
With two of the most famous landmarks in Paris flanking either end of the avenue, Champs Elysées has developed into a bustling avenue for leisure activities, events, and national holiday celebrations.
What to See and Do on Champs Elysées?
Champs Elysées is a popular tourist destination for sightseeing, shopping, dining, and more, which also draws crowds of locals to the popular strip every day.
Shopping is one of the highlight activities on Champs Elysées. The avenue has become synonymous with upscale retail shopping in Paris, featuring luxury boutique shops and some of the biggest names in fashion in the world. Some of the luxury houses with flagship stores along the prestigious avenue include Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Tiffany & Co., and Mercedes.
The retail opportunities have also extended to other popular brands, including H&M, Levi’s Sephora, Zara, and Banana Republic. With the significant shopping traffic along the avenue, several shopping malls have been extended from the avenue.
While shopping dominates one end of Champs Elysées, the other end is reserved from the Jardin des Champs-Élysées, an extension of the original gardens present when the avenue was created. Jardin des Champs-Élysées is a destination for strolls and relaxing in the lush green space found in the Parisian metropolis. Several landmarks are located within the park including the Grand Palais, Petit Palais, and the Théâtre Marigny.
In between the shopping and gardens of Champs Elysées, there are plenty of local cafés to get an authentic taste of French cuisine.
Events & Festivals at Champs Elysées
With such an iconic status and significant foot traffic every day, some of the most notable events and celebrations in Paris occur along and around Champs Elysées. All year long, you can count on some significant events along the avenue.
Every New Year, hundreds of thousands of people flock to Champs Elysées to celebrate the welcoming of the new year. It’s the city’s most popular destination for celebrating New Years. With car traffic blocked off from the avenue, pedestrians crowd the entire avenue for the annual festivities.
Bastille Day is a holiday celebrating France and events can be seen around the world. It’s only right that the largest of these events occur in the country’s capital. The Bastille Day Military Parade takes place along Champs Elysées where it draws massive crowds, entertainment, and international political leaders to celebrate.
Champs Elysées serves as the final stretch of the famous Tour de France cycling race. Spectators line the sides of Champs Elysées as the tournament participants close out the extensive race. The Tour de France award ceremony is also hosted on the avenue.
Champs Elysées has become an iconic symbol of Paris. From showcasing popular landmarks to hosting some of the city’s largest events to featuring flagship stores of some of the most upscale retailers in the world, the avenue will remain one of the most popular tourist destinations in Paris.
While shopping dominates one end of Champs Elysées, the other end is reserved from the Jardin des Champs-Élysées, an extension of the original gardens present when the avenue was created. Jardin des Champs-Élysées is a destination for strolls and relaxing in the lush green space found in the Parisian metropolis. Several landmarks are located within the park including the Grand Palais, Petit Palais, and the Théâtre Marigny.
In between the shopping and gardens of Champs Elysées, there are plenty of local cafés to get an authentic taste of French cuisine, as well as in our restaurant 99 Haussmann.