Champs Elysees :
The Avenue des Champs Elysees is the best known avenue in France, and possibly in the world. It stretches for just over a kilometre in length from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde and close to the Franklin Roosevelt Hotel.
In 1667, King Louis XIV ordered his landscaper Le Notre to plant chestnut trees to extend the royal road from the gardens of Les Tuileries. By the Revolution the Avenue was well known. The Place de la Concorde was the setting for the guillotine.
The Avenue des Champs Elysees is a patriotic part of every French person. It is the setting for most the important events in France, both planned and unplanned. Every Bastille Day, there is a military parade.
The military parade on Bastille Day in the Champs Elysees.
L'Arc de Triomphe serves as a spontaneous patriotic rallying place for Parisians; for example, it was estimated that a million people surged through the streets here in spontaneous celebration when France won the World Cup in 1998.
The Avenue des Champs Elysees has many high class and expensive shops and restaurants.
On the other hand, tourists may buy their burger "chez McDo" and watch the world go by.
Song :
Les Champs Elysees (Joe DASSIN)
1. Je m'balladais sur l'avenue, le coeur ouvert à l'inconnu,
j'avais envie de dire bonjour à n'importe qui,
n'importe qui et ce fut toi, je t'ai dit n'importe quoi,
il suffisait de te parler pour t'apprivoiser.
Aux Champs Elysees, aux Champs Elysees,
au soleil, sous la pluie, à midi ou à minuit,
il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs Elysees.
2. Tu m'as dit, j'ai rendez-vous dans un sous-sol, avec des fous,
qui vivent la guitare à la main, du soir au matin,
alors je t'ai accompagné, on a chanté, on a dansé,
et on n'a même pas pensé à s'embrasser.
Aux Champs Elysees, aux Champs Elysees,
au soleil, sous la pluie, à midi ou à minuit,
il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs Elysees.
3. Hier au soir, des inconnus, et ce matin sur l'avenue,
deux amoureux tout étourdis par la longue nuit.
Et de l'Étoile, à la Concorde, un orchestre à mille cordes,
tous les oiseaux du point du jour, chantent l'amour.
Aux Champs Elysees, aux Champs Elysees,
au soleil, sous la pluie, à midi ou à minuit,
il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs Elysees.
Arc de Triomphe :
The ARC DE TRIOMPHE is a big victory arch which was built to honour the Emperor Napoleon and his soldiers who conquered most of Europe during the early nineteenth century.
Napoleon commissioned the arch in 1806 but its construction was not completed until 1836. It was modelled on Roman Triumphal arches which were constructed so that victorious Roman Emperors could hold parades which marched through them.
The Arc de Triomphe is 50 metres in height and 45 metres in width. Its sides are decorated with sculptures of battles. Inside the Arch are the names of the battles in which Napoleon's vistorious armies fought, and lists of his generals
Below the Arc de Triomphe, the body of the Unknown Soldier of France is laid to rest. The Flame of Remembrance is lit every evening at 6.30 pm to commemorate the millions who have died serving their country.
Many people who visit bring flowers or wreaths, so the memorial always covered in bright colours, as in the photographs.
There are always special services held here on Armistice Day, November the 11th. This day commemmorates the day in 1918 when the agreement to stop fighting was signed at the end of World War 1.
Around the Arc de Triomphe is the Place Charles de Gaulle. This is a huge roundabout.This used to be known as the "Place de L'Étoile", or "Star ". From this roundabout, twelve avenues reach into the distance, forming an elegant twelve pointed "star".
T o reach the Arch, you need to take the subway passage under the roundabout. The roundabout has the reputation of being one of the most difficult to navigate in France because of the traffic. Some insurance companies refuse to insure cars when they use this roundabout.
The Arc de Triomphe is the symbol of patriotic France. Some of its most famous moments include:
- December 15th 1840: The procession carrying Napoleon's ashes to the tomb in Les Invalides passed under the Arc de TriompheMay 1885
- The body of Victor Hugo, the famous writer, lay in state under the Arc de Triomphe.
- July 14 1919: French troops marched through the Arc De Triomphe to celebrate vicotry in World War I
- November 11 1920: The Unkown Soldier was buried below the Arc de Triomphe
- June 1944: The Arc de Triomphe became a rallying point for Parisians at the end of World War II when the Allies reached Paris
- August 1998: The Arc de Triomphe became an instantaneous focus point for the people of Paris when France won the World Cup.
The Arc de Triomphe is at the end of the best known road in Paris - the AVENUE DES Champs Elysees. This is a very popular place for tourists. They like to stroll down its wide footpaths under the shade of the trees. There are pavement cafés, where you may eat and drink. There is also a McDonald's - which is very popular with the French and the Hotel Franklin Roosevelt.
There is always a big parade down the AVENUE DES Champs Elysees on the 14TH JULY- which is the French National day. The Arc is lit up at night with the French colours and has an enormous Tricolore flying from its centre.
T he Arc De Triomphe may be climbed for a small fee . The view from the top across the city is excellent. Inside the arch, there is a small museum which has displays of topical interest and the background history of the arch.
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