“Why George V?” someone asks. The Boulevard George V stands as a testament to a bond forged in the fires of the First World War. It is a wide Parisian avenue in the 8th arrondissement. It is part of the Champs-Élysées district.
Originally named Avenue de l’Alma, the boulevard received its new name on July 14, 1918. This renaming honored King George V of the United Kingdom. He was king from May 6, 1910, until his death in 1936. It recognized his country’s alliance with France during the war.
King George V’s reign was a period of great change. He was attentive to the course of the First World War. He was the protector and personal friend of General Haig. In 1917, he decided to give English titles to royal family members. They had Germanic surnames. This was due to anti-German feelings in the United Kingdom. The royal family’s name changed from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor.
The Boulevard George V is 730 meters long and 40 meters wide. It is part of Paris’s “Golden Triangle”. This area includes luxury stores between Avenue George V, the Champs-Élysées, and Avenue Montaigne. You’ll find palaces, restaurants, and nightclubs here too. The Crazy Horse, a famous cabaret, is also located on this avenue.
Many embassies were once on this avenue. The Chinese and Spanish embassies were here. They have since moved to other parts of Paris.
Several remarkable buildings line the Boulevard George V. At number 9 is the Hôtel de Ganay. It was built between 1896 and 1898. Its salon was a popular meeting place for the aristocracy of sport. Today, it houses the Permanent Assembly of the Chambers of Agriculture.
At number 23 stands the Holy Trinity American Episcopal Church. It is also known as the American Cathedral of Paris. It was built between 1881 and 1884 in the neo-Gothic style.
The Four Seasons Hotel George V is at number 31. André Terrail created it in 1928. He was a restaurateur and owner of La Tour d’Argent. Today, it is part of the Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts chain.
The Prince de Galles hotel is at number 33. It opened in 1928 and was renovated in 2013. Many famous people have stayed here. Winston Churchill, Marlene Dietrich, and Elvis Presley are among them.
At number 46 is Fouquet’s Barrière hotel. Nicolas Sarkozy celebrated his 2007 presidential election victory here. This earned him criticism from uninvited journalists.
The story of Boulevard George V is a mix of wartime alliance, luxury, and Parisian culture. As you stroll along, remember the king who gave his name to this famous avenue. His legacy lives on in the heart of Paris.