This huge avenue, running from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile, was opened during the 18th century. However, it was only during the Second Empire that it became a fashionable avenue, lined with mansions, while restaurants, panoramas, theatres, balls (such as the ones at the legendary Mabille dancehall) attracted the crowds there.
The section from the Place de la Concorde to the Rond-Point is still lined by the alleys of the gardens of the Champs-Elysees. Beyond the Rond-Point, the avenue, which is an impressive 200 feet wide, has only conserved one of the mansions from the Second Empire, the Païva mansion, which belonged to a Polish adventurer who became a Portuguese marchioness and then a Prussian countess. No. 25, this mansion is famous for its large onyx staircase. Cinemas, airline companies, car showrooms (Citroen, Renault, Peugeot), tourist offices for foreign countries and the French provinces, shopping arcades (galeries des Champs, galerie du Claridge, galerie Point Show), large cafes (Le Fouquet's), restaurants, specialised department stores (FNAC, Virgin) and prestigious brands (Guerlain) are to be found on both sides of the avenue.
The Rond-Point des Champs-Elysees (Champs-Elysees roundabout)
Designed by Le Notre in 1670, adorned with flower-beds, this crossroads on the Champs-Elysees, Montaigne and Franklin-Roosevelt avenues is lined with mansions from the Second Empire (like the one where Artcurial is housed, on the corner of Montaigne Avenue) and some modern shops. Beautiful views towards Place de l'Etoile and Place de la Concorde.
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