Did you know that the Avenue des Guilleraies doesn’t have much written about it? It is a street in Nanterre. Nanterre is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris. It is in the department of Hauts-de-Seine. The Avenue des Guilleraies may not be as famous as the Champs Élysées. The Champs Élysées is known as the most beautiful street in France.
Let’s talk about the Champs Élysées. Its name means Elysian Fields. This is the burial place of heroes in Greek mythology. The Champs Élysées started as farmland and marshes outside Paris’s city walls.
André Le Nôtre first laid out the Champs Élysées in 1667. He extended the Palais des Tuileries gardens for Louis XIV. The road was later extended to Place de l’Etoile and Porte Maillot in the 18th century. Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the Arc de Triomphe’s construction in 1806. This gave the avenue a focal point.
Emperor Napoleon III widened the Champs Élysées. He removed old medieval buildings in the mid-19th century. It became a place for the French bourgeoisie. They built private homes and mansions there. Today it is the most expensive address in France.
The Avenue des Champs Élysées is 1.2 miles long. It runs from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. The Place de la Concorde was where French royals were beheaded. The Arc de Triomphe is now a national symbol of France. The Champs Élysées is part of the Axe Historique de Paris. This is based on the old Triumphal Way.
Staying near the Champs Élysées is expensive. Some luxury hotels include Hotel Le Marianne and Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris. You can also find many cafés and restaurants. Ladurée is a famous café and tearoom. Brasserie Fouquet’s is a historic restaurant.
Many flagship shops are on the Champs Élysées. You can find luxury brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. There is also a Paris Saint Germain football souvenir shop. There are bars and nightlife options as well. The Buddha Bar is an upscale restaurant and bar.
You can find statues of leaders from WWI and WWII near Place de la Concorde. These include Georges Clemenceau and Charles de Gaulle. The Palais de l’Élysées is the President of France’s official residence. The Grand Palais is an exhibition hall. Chanel often presents its fashion show there. The Petit Palais is a small art museum.
The Tour de France finishes on the Champs Élysées. Every Christmas, the avenue lights up. There is usually a Christmas market. Crowds gather on New Year’s Eve for a light and music show.
The Tuileries Garden connects the Louvre Museum to Place de la Concorde. Catherine de Medici founded the garden in 1564. André Le Notre redesigned it into a formal French garden. The Tuileries Garden is open to the public.
The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is in the Tuileries Garden. Napoleon built it to commemorate his victories. The Tuileries Garden has statues, cafes, and museums. The Musée de l’Orangerie features Monet’s Water Lilies. The Jeu de Paume focuses on photography exhibitions.
While Avenue des Guilleraies may not have all these attractions, every street has its own story. It connects people and places in Nanterre. Next time you are in Paris take a trip to Nanterre and explore the Avenue des Guilleraies. Perhaps you will find a new story to tell.