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This section of our Paris
Vacation Guide describes the best places to visit
along the Champs Elysées.
Click
the links below to go directly to a specific place or just continue reading
to explore the tourism attractions in this section of Paris.
Arc de Triomphe
Champs Elysées
Cruising the Seine
We
provide brief descriptions of the leading attractions and link these to
detailed maps of the areas described. The blue numbered location symbolized on
the maps are linked back to the descriptions of the attractions so you can
click them and return to the feature's description on this page.
- This is an area that you should walk to
fully experience. Take the Metro to the Arc de Triomphe (the Charles De
Gaulle Étoile stop) and then walk down the Champs Elysées towards the
Louvre.
- There are interesting shops and numerous
street-side cafes. Don't rush your walk, take time to explore. If
you get the chance, come back at night when the illuminated Arc de
Triomphe presents a great picture opportunity.
- Don't forget that
our photographs will show captions when you "mouse" them in Internet
Explorer or Firefox.
- In addition to our "print-style" maps of Paris, we have added a more
detailed version using Google maps. To see a satellite view of
the attractions click the airplane symbols that accompany most
attractions.
- The symbol looks like this
- You can also view the map as a street map or as a terrain map by
using the buttons at the top right of the map display that appears when
you click the airplane symbol.
- For information about arranging tours of attractions in Paris,
see the options provided by our advertising partner
Viator.
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In the description following the
name of each attraction, the first notation is the
arrondissement.
The second notation is R for Right Bank, L for Left Bank or
IC for Île De La Cité.
The "map symbol number" indicates the numeric "id' of the symbol
showing the location of the attraction on the map |
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Paris has a number
of wide avenues called the "Grand Boulevards", which were designed
by Georges Haussmann, the planner responsible for the look of
much of central Paris, during the last half of the nineteenth
century.
The Grand Magasins (the
great department stores) were attracted to the Grand Boulevards.
If you have a chance, visit the two Grand Magasins on Boulevard Haussmann: Galeries
Lafayette (#40) and Printemps (#64).
Printemps has a
delightful restaurant (Printemps de la Mode - Level 6) that sits
beneath the store's impressive stained glass, "Art Nouveau
Cupola that dates from the "Twenties".
On Galeries Lafayette's
6th floor you will find the largest shop for Paris souvenirs in
the city. On the same floor is the Lafayette Caffé, which
offers good food and an outdoor terrace with views of the city.
See their official Website for more
information.
La Samaritaine, a Paris landmark and one of the
City's most celebrated department stores, closed in June, 2005 due to
"environmental" issues. Renovations are
expected to take six years, after which the art deco masterpiece
is scheduled to re-open |
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From the Arc de
Triomphe along the Champs Elysées
The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most memorable
sights in Paris. The monument is noted for its impressive size, which
focuses attention on both the Place Charles de Gaulle and the
Champs-Elysées. It was erected in honor of the victories of the armies of
Napoleon.
- Adorning the sides of the Arc are four
dramatic friezes a (La Marseilles (actually named the Departure of
Volunteers of '92), the Resistance and Peace (both by the same artist), and
the Triumph).
- A memorial to the "Unknown Soldier"
from World War I is found at the
monument's base, along with an eternal flame commemorating all soldiers who
have died fighting for freedom.
- You can take the 284 steps (fee) to the top of the arch for a
good view along the Champs Elysées and of the twelve Grand Avenues that converge at the Arc.
The view to the east (Louvre) is breathtaking and includes the Place de la
Concorde, The Tuileries and the Petit and Grand Palais. To the west
you can see the modernistic Grand Arch in La Defense.
- Don't attempt to dash
through the heavy traffic to reach the monument, underground pedestrian
access is available from the north side of Champs Elysées.
 This broad avenue extends from Place Charles
DeGaulle (formerly the Place de L'Etoile) and its Arc de Triomphe to the Place de
la Concorde. A great street for walking and getting into the mood of Paris,
this pleasant, tree-lined avenue has wide sidewalks, mostly touristy stores
and numerous restaurants. Just a tidbit - but Avenue Foch is actually wider than
the Champs Elysees.
- If this is your first time in Paris, stop at one of the
sidewalk cafes for a drink or a meal. Yes, it is touristy, but for
most of us this street is our introduction to the City of Light.
The Champs Elysées is one of the world's most famous streets and the sum of
its parts stamp it as a distinctly French grand avenue. Other than
exploring the Arc de Triomphe up close, the main attraction of the Champs
Elysées is the street itself, its crowds, its shops and the way it makes you
feel that you have arrived in Paris.
If you are a shopper, there is a lot to sample in this area. The
Triangle d'Or (the triangular area surrounding Ave Montaigne, Ave George V
and Rue François 1er) )and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré (near the Grand Palais)
have shops that include almost every well-known name in Paris fashion, as
well as many other delightful shops.
Boulevard Haussmann, which changes into the Ave de Friedland and runs
into the Place Charles de Gaulle, marks another important shopping area whose
main attractions are referenced in the information block to the left. Note
that the main shopping area along Boulevard Haussmann is to the east
near Rue de Rome.
Further east, the Champs Elysées passes the Palais de l'Elysée
(north side of the street), which is the residence of the President of the Republic of
France. On
the south side are the stately Petit Palais and Grand Palais (noted for its
curved, glass roof), attractive buildings that were constructed for the
International Exposition in 1900. The Petite Palais is now home for the
Musee Des Beaux Arts of the City of Paris.
8 ém) (R) – map
symbol 2a
One great way to see central Paris is to take a cruise on the Seine on
one of the large tourist boats dedicated to sightseeing. Tourist boats
ply the Seine day and night and the best views of many of the city's
grand monuments
The most popular boats are those known as Bateaux-Mouches. The name Bateaux-Mouches, while used
in many travel books to describe "tourist boats", is actually a trademark of
the Compagnie Bateaux-Mouches, whose boats dock on the Right Bank
between Pont de l'Alma and Pont des Invalides. You can reach this
area from the Champs Elysées by taking either Avenue George V or Avenue
Franklin Delano Roosevelt south the to Seine. The Bateaux-Mouches are tiered boats and feature both open-top and
enclosed viewing areas. All are equipped with recordings that
announce the monuments as you pass them.
It's touristy, but if
this is your first time in Paris, cough up the bucks for a night cruise.
Though attractive by daylight, the monuments are extraordinarily beautiful
when illuminated. You will find the view of Paris from the Seine to
be worth every penny. You can find more information at
http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/
or
www.vedettesdeparis.com
If you need information about another travel destination, try Googling our site or the Web
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| In 2005 the Grand Palais
reopened after a twelve year refurbishment restored the complex to its original grandeur. |
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