Things to do from the Champs Elysees to the Louvre

Things to do from the Champs Elysees to the Louvre

If you’re coming to Paris in the next months, you’re probably already making a list of everything you want to do and visit. And I’m pretty certain that both the Champs Elysees and the Louvre Museum are in your list. These landmarks are both in the right bank of Paris, which is a very luxuous and elegant part of the city.

On your way from the Champs Elysees to the Louvre, you will see many wonderful buildings, gardens, long avenues, majestic squares, among other things. In this article, I will tell you a few of the attractions and things to do from the Champs Elysees to the Louvre. Read on and enjoy!

Celebrate victory at Arc de Triomphe

First on my list of things to from the Champs Elysees to the Louvre is one of the most famous French monuments. Ordered by Napoleon to celebrate his victories, the Arc de Triomphe was built in the heart of the Place de l’Étoile. You will have to go up 284 steps to reach the top of the monument, but you will be able to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city of Paris. The arc stands gloriously at the beginning of the Champs Elysees, this is why it is first on my list.

The next day of Napoleon’s victory in the battle of Austerlitz, he promised his soldiers they would come back home passing under arcs of triumph. Napoleon is the one who ordered the construction of the Arc de Triomphe, but he never got to see it finished. The constructions stopped in 1815. After a while, the King Louis XVIII ordered the resumption of its constructions, but instead of dedicating it to the Empire, he dedicated the monument to the Royal Armed Forces. But, it was the king Louis Philippe who had the final say. The Arc de Triomphe was finished in 1836, during his reign, and was to celebrate both the Imperial and Revolutionary armies.

Ultimately, this monument is a national icon that accompanies the celebrations of the whole country, such as the Bastille Day, every year on the 14th of July, but also the victories of the France national football team. You should also know that since the year of 1923, there’s a flame underneath the Arc de Triomphe that is constantly revived. This flame plays tribute to the soldiers who died during the First World War.

After visiting this glorious landmark, you will walk the Champs Elysees and cross the other landmarks of this area, then, only a few steps away from the Louvre, you will reach the Arc du Triomphe du Carrousel, which is the “little brother” of the Arc de Triomphe.

Attend a performance at Le Lido

If you have some time, attend a Lido performance. This place is located on one of the most luxurious avenues of the world. Le Lido was the first place who established the idea of seeing a performance, while dining: the popular “dîner-spectacle” deals.

The Bluebell Girls are the sublime women that perform at the Lido for your enjoyment. They are tall, beautiful long legs. They have angelic faces, and are so talented. There are shows every day of the week. However, you need to know that elegant wear is required to get in, and that taking photos or filming is not authorized.

Discover how the world works at Palais de la Découverte

After walking down the Champs Elysees, you can go to the Palais de la Découverte. If you love science, physics, or if you want to know more about how the world works and its specimens, this place is the best place to go to. Created in 1937 by Jean Baptiste Perrin, who received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1926, you will find the Discovery Palace in the western part of the Grand Palais. The palace is located at Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The entrance ticket will cost you 9 euros, and 7 euros por students and people aged under 25.

Enjoy art at Grand Palais and Petit Palais

One of the things to do from the Champs Elysees to the Louvre is also to visit the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais.

The Grand Palais was built for the 1900 World Fair, dedicated to the glory of French art. The style of this masterpiece is “Beaux-Arts architecture”. When you will see it, you will be mesmerized by all its details that clearly stand out. This place was important during wartime: during the First World War, it was used as a military hospital and during the German occupation, the Nazis exhibited Nazi propaganda there. Nowadays, the Grand Palais houses the most prestigious exhibitions. Enjoy it while you can, because at the end of 2020, the palace will be closed for renovations and will only reopen in 2023!

In front of the Grand Palais, you will find the Petit Palais. Located at Avenue Winston-Churchill, this place houses the Musée des beaux-arts de la ville de Paris. You can see Beaux-Arts masterpieces from the Antiquity to the end of the nineteenth century. Plenty of temporary exhibitions are also organized there. Don’t miss the pavilions, the splendid garden, the stained glasses and the mosaics. All its details are stunning!

Take the most amazing photos at Place de la Concorde

You won’t miss Place de la Concorde, while walking from the Champs Elysees to the Louvre. This square is now pretty spectacular and elegant, but during the French Revolution there was a guillotine where thousands of people were executed. Among them, some famous people such as Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI and Robespierre. At the end of the Reign of Terror, in 1795, the square was named Place de la Concorde. Several centuries of History happened on this square, this is why it got so famous.

In 1831, the viceroy of Egypt, offered to France two obelisks, but only one actually made it to Paris. Nowadays, you will find the Crillon Hotel, one of the oldest and most luxurious hotels in the world. Many famous celebrities stay there during their stay in Paris, like Madonna.

Have a peaceful walk at Jardin des Tuileries

The Jardin des Tuileries is actually the oldest garden of Paris. The design of the garden was done by André Le Nôtre, a landscape architect. He’s the man who designed the garden of the palace of Versailles! Its designs are based on symmetry, order and long perspectives, typical of a “jardin à la française“.

The construction of the Jardin des Tuileries was ordered by Catherine de Médicis, a French queen. She wanted to decorate the surroundings of the Tuileries palace, which no longer exists, because she used to spend her spare time there. The Jardin des Tuileries got its name from the tile factories that stood on the site in the past.

You now know some of the things to do between the Champs Elysees to the Louvre. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article! Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need further information about anything. You will love to walk from the Champs Elysees to the Louvre, to enjoy the right bank of Paris and all its beautiful highlights. If you find other attractions in this area, let me know. Share your best tips, so we can grow as a community. See you soon in Paris!