Axe historique

Understand

The Champs Élysées was created in the 17th century. It has been extended westwards through the Avenue de la Grande Armée, and the Avenue Charles De Gaulle, to the skyscraper complex in La Défense, commissioned in the 1950s.

Go

The axis is in total 10 km long, from La Bastille to La Défense. For travellers who want to complete the whole itinerary, a bicycle or a scooter would be useful. Most of the landmarks are within the 4.5 km between Hôtel de Ville and Place Charles de Gaulle; walkable within 1-2 hours, depending on pace. Metro Line 1 follows the whole axis from the Bastille to La Défense. While the route can be done by car, sightseeing by car in Paris is discouraged.

See the district articles for complete information on the following attractions:

4th arrondissement

The 4th arrondissement contains many of Paris' oldest buildings. As there is not much left to see of la Bastille, the Hôtel de Ville is a good place to start.

1 la Bastille (Metro: Bastille). Make your way to the Bobigny/Pablo Picasso-bound platform. All that's left of the fortress are some foundation stones on the platform. There are maps and explanations showing where the fortress used to be relative the place and surroundings. 2 Maison de Victor Hugo, 6, Place des Vosges (Metro: Saint-Paul, Chemin Vert, or Bastille, Bus 20, 29, 65, 69, 96). The house in which the famous French novelist Victor Hugo once lived. Free. 3 Hôtel de Sully, 62 rue Saint-Antoine (Metro: Saint-Paul or Bastille, Bus 69, 76, 96). Built in 1625, the Hotel de Sully is an interesting house with some sculptures in a beautiful courtyard. The house features special exhibitions, so check listings when in Paris. 4 Mémorial de la Shoah (The Holocaust Memorial), 17, rue Geoffroy l’Asnier. Opened in January 2005, the Holocaust Memorial comprises a major documentation centre and a wall bearing 76,000 names of Jews deported from France to the Nazi camps between 1942-1944. Includes an archive of a million artefacts, including 55,000 photographs. Excursions are run from the memorial to French internment camp sites such as Drancy. Admission free.

5 Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), Place de la Hôtel de Ville (Metro: Hôtel de Ville). Many feel that this, Paris' town hall, is one of the loveliest buildings in the city. You might not get that from the front view, but try watching the light change on its roofs and towers during sunset from one of the cafés on

Go next

There are many other attractions in Paris and environs that do not form part of the axis. The Eiffel Tower is far from the axis, but is well visible from the eastern part of the route.