Ever paused amidst the Champs-Élysées’ grandeur? You are standing at the Rond-point des Champs-Élysées-Marcel-Dassault. It is a place of Parisian history.
Originally laid out in 1670 by André Le Nôtre, the Rond-point des Champs-Élysées was the grand finale of the Roule avenue. Imagine carriages turning around in this very spot centuries ago.
In 1991, the place officially became the Rond-point des Champs-Élysées-Marcel-Dassault. It honors Marcel Dassault. He was an aircraft manufacturer, politician, and press manager.
Note the Hôtel Marcel-Dassault that borders the Rond-point des Champs-Élysées. Dassault installed his offices there. Before Dassault, the area had a different kind of entertainment.
Picture this. In 1771, a park called the Colisée opened near the Rond-point des Champs-Élysées. Sadly, it didn’t last long. The area’s bad reputation kept people away at night.
During the French Revolution, there was even a plan to erect a statue of Jean-Jacques Rousseau here. Although the statue never materialized a grassy mound marked Marat’s assassination for a time.
Water features have marked the Rond-point des Champs-Élysées for centuries. In 1817, a large jet of water called “la Gerbe” spouted from the center. Later, in 1863, six smaller fountains appeared.
René Lalique created glass fountains here in 1932. But they were too fragile. They were replaced. New jets were designed by Max Ingrand.
The Rond-point des Champs-Élysées connects different segments of the Champs-Élysées. It also links Avenue Montaigne to the south and Avenue Matignon to the north. Avenue Franklin-D.-Roosevelt also converges here.
Look around at the buildings surrounding the Rond-point des Champs-Élysées. Each has a unique history.
Number 1 was once the home of Joseph Oller. He was the founder of the Moulin Rouge. Paul Poiret also opened a boutique here in 1925.
The building at number 2 once housed a furnished hotel. The composer Giacomo Meyerbeer died here in 1864.
Numbers 3 and 60 Avenue Montaigne make up the Hôtel d’Hautpoul. It became the Hôtel Massion in 1910.
The Hôtel Massion has a rich history. Couturier Robert Piguet had his studio here in 1938. Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy trained with Piguet.
Today, Gucci occupies part of the Hôtel Massion. The Rond-point des Champs-Élysées has seen many changes. It has evolved through different eras.
The Hôtel du Rond-Point stands at number 9. Marcel Dassault expanded it in 1962. He added a reception hall, offices, and a cinema.
At numbers 12-14 stands the Hôtel Bamberger. Henri Bamberger, a financier, originally built it.
Even Marcel Proust mentioned this area. He referred to a public toilet run by a woman he called “marquise.”
Take a moment to appreciate the Rond-point des Champs-Élysées. It is a place where history and Parisian elegance meet. It is a crossroads of art, fashion, and power.