The Best Things To Do On The Champs-lyses

Linking the Place de la Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées is known as the world’s “most beautiful avenue”. From cabaret shows at Le Lido to designer shops like Guerlain, uncover the best things to do on this famous Paris street.

The chestnut tree-lined Champs-Élysées is one of the world’s most iconic avenues. Named after the resting place of heroes, it is the annual scene of Bastille Day parades and Tour de France finishes. But as the high-end clutch of malls, boutique stores and theatres demonstrate, France’s legends aren’t limited to military and sport. Get your fix of Parisian culture from our list below.

1. Ladurée

Bakery, Patisserie, Pastries

France, Paris, Avenue des Champs Elysees, Laduree pastry shop

When Louis Ernest Ladurée opened a humble bakery on Rue Royale in 1862, he couldn’t have envisaged that it would become a Parisian institution. He can thank the innovative nature of his grandson Pierre Desfontaines who came up with the idea of a double-decker macaron filled with ganache. He then opened a tearoom to cater for the demand. Now, more than 150 years on, Ladurée finds itself in a prestigious Champs-Élysées spot, around 1.5km (1mi) from its original store, churning out over 15,000 macarons every day.

2. Stamp Market

Market

If you’ve never considered stamps to be an object of fascination, then the market on the corner of Avenue Gabriel and Avenue Marigny will make you think again. Open every Thursday, weekends and bank holidays, mingle among the pro collectors to find a beguiling array of stamps, postcards and envelopes. Like mini time-capsules, each possessing their own mysteries and backstories, they make for a quirky and inexpensive souvenir.

4. Admire the towering Arc de Triomphe

Building

Inaugurated in 1836 by the French king, Louis-Philippe, after having been commissioned by Napoleon in 1806, and dedicated to the armies of the Revolution and the Empire, the Arc de Triomphe has reigned as one of the most iconic Parisian monuments ever since. Towering 50m (164ft) above the Champs-Élysées, it’s an incredible architectural feat to admire, drawing inspiration from the Arch of Titus in Rome. Many people go to visit the tomb of the Unknown Soldier who was buried at the base of the arch in 1921. The flame of remembrance is rekindled every day at 6.30pm.

5. Catch a show at Lido’s Paris Merveilles

Bar, Restaurant, French

Forget the Moulin Rouge, Le Lido’s Paris Merveilles is a prestigious cabaret on the Champs-Élysées. Dancers known as the Bluebell Girls perform the can-can in mesmerising costumes (think glittering Swarovski crystal bodices and ostrich feather skirts) alongside circus acrobats and sword-swallowers. Each set requires 1,000 hours of design and has been dazzling audiences for 75 years. Booking ahead is essential.

6. Wander around Place de la Concorde

Architectural Landmark

PARIS - NOVEMBER 1: Place de la Concorde on November 1, 2016 in Paris, France. Its one of the major public squares in Paris and the largest square

Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris, is located at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées. Designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel in 1755, the Place de la Concorde gained a ghastly reputation as an execution site during the French Revolution. The French king, Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette and Robespierre, along with many others, fell victim to the country’s favoured method of execution in this square: the guillotine. Today, it’s dotted with two monumental fountains along with the Luxor Obelisk and the Big Wheel, a great way to catch the city sights from above.

7. Puzzle over the mysterious Luxor Obelisk

Architectural Landmark

The Luxor Egyptian Obelisk at the center of Place de la Concorde, Paris, France

The Luxor Obelisk is a 3,000-year-old Egyptian monument at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées, and no one is quite sure how it was made. Reaching 23m (75ft) into the Parisian skyline, this gold-topped granite column is adorned with hieroglyphs exalting the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II. It’s an unusual landmark to find in Paris, as obelisks are usually built to herald the entrance to a temple. However, it was sent to Paris by Muhammad Ali Pasha, Ruler of Ottoman Egypt, as a gesture of good political relations. It first arrived in Paris on 21 December 1833 and has been classified as a historical monument since 1936.

8. Shop 'til you drop at the city’s best stores

Shop, Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

Paris has always been associated with style, and the Champs-Élysées is one of the best places to enjoy a shopping spree. From tiny designer boutiques selling unique one-offs to the grander luxury stores, there’s a wide range of choice on this famous boulevard. Visit Guerlain, one of the oldest perfume houses in the world, or indulge in a leather accessory from Louis Vuitton. This store, which has been on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées since 1913, is one of the most impressive Louis Vuitton stores in the world. The hotly anticipated sales kick off in Paris in January and July.

9. Get inspired by world-class art at the Grand Palais

Museum, Market

The Grand Palais is one of the top institutions in Paris. Art and science combine across the three major sites. The Nave boasts an iconic glass-domed roof, inspired by London’s Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, the National Galleries house artworks by Pablo Picasso, Auguste Renoir and Paul Gauguin. Finally, the Palais de la Découverte is a great place to take kids – it’s a science museum, packed with interactive exhibits. Highlights include a digital 3D simulation of the Space Odyssey missions. The Grand Palais will begin major renovations in 2021, reopening in time for the 2024 Olympics.

Alexis James contributed additional reporting to this article.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.