Running through the heart of Paris’ 8th arrondissement, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is France’s most famous boulevard. Renowned for its historic theatres, cafes and luxury boutiques, it stretches between the Place de la Concorde and the Place Charles de Gaulle, home to the iconic Arc de Triomphe of Emperor Napoleon.

In addition to its Parisian monuments, the Champs-Élysées is perhaps most famed as one of the world’s most exclusive shopping streets and the Comité Champs-Élysées, initially formed in 1860 to promote the avenue’s commercial interests, serves as the oldest committee in Paris today. From Zara to Louis Vuitton, Lacoste, Guerlain and Hugo Boss, big name brands compete for space on this iconic boulevard while offices inhabit the stories above. The geometrical glass roofs of the Grand and Petit Palais, built for the 1900 Universal Exposition, still rise from the Champs-Élysées,while the Art Deco-style Théâtre des Champs Elysées is the avenue’s most historic music venue, notoriously hosting Igor Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring”. One of the most atmospheric times to visit is between late November and early January when the avenue is illuminated with Christmas lights, or during the final stage of the Tour de France which takes place on the Champs-Élysées. It is Bastille Day on the 14th of July when the avenue really ignites, with Europe’s largest military parade is watched on by the President of France.

The Champs-Élysées is well-served by the Paris Metro Line 1 which runs directly beneath the avenue. Station Charles de Gaulle-Etoile lies at the western end, while George V Station, Franklin D. Roosevelt Station and Champs-Élysées-Clemenceau Station lie along the avenue itself. At only 1.9 kilometres, the best way to explore the Champs-Élysées is definitely on foot, with plenty of iconic sights and unique boutiques and cafes to explore along the way.

The Champs-Élysées was designed by André Le Nôtre in 1667 for Louis XIV as an extension of the Tuileries Palace Garden, where its elm-lined promenade extended between the palace and the modern Rond Point. It was originally referred to as the Grand Cours, later renamed in 1709 for the Elysian Fields, a paradisiacal destination for deceased heroes in Greek mythology.