Paris’ Favorite Avenue: A Stroll Down the Champs-Élysées
The tour will start at Franklin D. Roosevelt Metro station, named for the American president whose troops paraded down the Champs-Élysées to celebrate the Liberation of Paris in August of 1944. As you go, you’ll find yourself crossing the path of history again and again, whether you're walking past the sights of old World Fairs, or marching along the same sidewalks that host Bastille Day. Your guide will point out some of the most famous attractions along the avenue, like aristocratic mansions, cabaret houses, and one of the oldest restaurants in Paris. You’ll also discuss the history of the avenue itself, from its inception by Louis XIV to the monumental renovations by Baron Haussmann that fundamentally changed the look and feel of the city. Perhaps its most striking addition is the Arc De Triomphe, which was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 and remains one of the most recognizable in the city. The tour will finish under its towering arches where the guide will give you some tips on what to look for should you wish to buy a ticket to the top.