Champs Elysées

The Avenue des Champs-Elysées is probably the most famous avenue in the world. This impressive promenade stretches from the Place the la Concorde to the Place Charles de Gaulle, the site of the Arc de Triomphe. At its western end it is bordered by cinemas, theatres, cafés and luxury shops. Near the Place de la Concorde, the street is bordered by the Jardins des Champs-Elysées, beautifully arranged gardens with fountains and some grand buildings including the Grand and Petit Palais at the southern side and the Elysée at its northern side. The Champs-Elysées is used for all the major celebrations. This is where Parisians celebrate New Year's Eve and where the military parades are held on the 14th of July. Historic national events, like the Liberation at the end of the second World War or the victory in the World Cup football were also celebrated on this wide avenue.

Photo, left: Le Lido

Grand Palais

Photo, left: Le Petit Palais.

At the foot of the Champs-Elysées, the Grand and Petit Palais face one another on Av. Winston Churchill. Built for the 1900 World’s fair, they were widely received as a dazzling combination of “banking and dreaming”, exemplifying the ornate art nouveau architecture. While the Petit Palais houses an eclectic mix of artwork, its big brother has been turned into a space for temporary exhibitions on architecture, painting, sculpture and French history. The Petit Palais has been the residence of the French Presidents since 1873.

PALAIS DE LA DÉCOUVERTE:
The Grand Palais houses the Palais de la Découverte, a science museum/playground for children. Kids tear around the Palais’ interactive science exhibits, pressing buttons that start comets on celestial trajectories. Grown-up kids will have as much fun exploring colorful displays and exhibits of the museum, and will learn a surprising amount about the world. The Planetarium has shows 4 times per day.

Continues: NEXT