From Wikitravel

The 8th Arrondissement of Paris is home to the Champs Elysée, which ends up at the Arc de Triomphe. The executive branch of French government is also based here, as well as the embassies of certain nations such as the U.S.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By Métro

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Landmarks

For many visitors one of the must-see places in Paris is the Avenue des Champs-Elysées which was first created in 1667 by Louis XIV's gardener, Andre Le Nôtre, in order to improve the view from the Tuileries garden. This elegant and broad avenue was extended towards the end of the 18th century, now running from the place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. It is noted today as one of the most prestigious shopping boulevards of Paris.

At the east end of the Champs-Elysées is Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris with fantastic vistas in every direction. It was in this square (then called la Place de la Revolution) that the French King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and many others were guillotined during the Terror. The large Egyptian obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde was brought from the Temple of Luxor.

• l'Arc de Triomphe, place Charles de Gaulle (Métro Charles de Gaulle-Etoile), ☎ +33 1 01 11 01 03. This iconic triumphal arch forms the focus of the main east-west road axis of Paris, running between the Louvre and the Grande Arche de la Défense in the west. The monument was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 as a tribute to his victories as Emperor of France - it was finally completed in 1836, long after his death. 50 m (150 ft) high and 45 m wide, the Arc de Triomphe is decorated with battle scenes and martial sculptures that includes La Marseillaise by Rude. More recently, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was placed beneath the arch in 1920, where an eternal flame burns in tribute to the French dead of both World Wars. The arch is surrounded by a large roundabout, aptly known as l'Etoile - 'the star' - with 12 thoroughfares leading off from it. Visitors can purchase a ticket to climb to the top of the arch, from where magnificent views spread out over western Paris. Admission to a small museum devoted to the history and meaning of the monument is included. The central island and the arch are accessed by an underground passage. Do not attempt to negotiate by foot the busy multi-lane road that rings the Arc de Triomphe, which many Parisian drivers seem to consider their own personal speedway. admission fee applies for over-18s.  edit

• La Madeleine, place de la Madeleine (Métro: Madeleine). open 7am - 7pm Mo-Sa, 8am - 1.30pm and 3.30pm - 7pm Su. One of the best-known and most beautiful churches in Paris, in the guise of a Corinthian order Classical temple. Construction started in 1764, although the church was not finally consecrated until 1845. The Madeleine has a lavish interior of marble and gold. edit

[edit] Museums and Galleries

• Musée Jacquemart-André (Jacquemart-Andre Museum), [1]. Private collection of French, Italian, Dutch masterpieces in a typical XIXth century mansion. edit

• Musée du Petit Palais.  edit

• Musée Cernuschi, 7 Avenue Vélasquez (Métro : Monceau, Villiers), ☎ +33 1 45 63 50 75, [2]. closed Mo and public holidays, open daily 10am - 5.40pm.  edit

• Jerome de Noirmont, 38, avenue Matignon, ☎ +33 1 42 89 89 00. This museum represents some key contemporary and emering artists such as Jean Pierre Raynaud, Eva and Adele and Jeff Koons. edit

• le Grand Palais (Galeries nationales du Grand Palais), [3]. An impressive museum wtih a classic interior. edit

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Restaurant Indien Qasim, 22 rue du Colisée (Métro: Franklin D. Roosevelt), ☎ +33 1 45 62 19 73. Typical Pakistani & Indian Dishes edit

• Diep, 55 rue Pierre-Charron (Métro Franklin D. Roosevelt), ☎ +33 1 45 63 52 76. Thai, Chinese, and Indonesian. Vegetarian friendly. edit

• Café Jacquemart-André.  edit

• Korova, 33, rue Marbeuf, ☎ +33 1 53 89 93 93. The brainchild of celebrity chef Jean-Luc Delarue, Korova is the 'in' spot to dine in Paris. Designed by industry expert Christian Biecher, and with Frederick Herme in the kitchen, dining here is well worth the extravagance. edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Buddha Bar, 8 Rue Boissy d' Anglais (Métro: Concorde), ☎ +33 1 53 05 90 00 (fax: +33 1 53 05 90 09), [4]. The Buddha Bar is famous in electronic lounge music circles for having commissioned a series of lounge and downtempo records which you can get at most larger record shops in France, as well as many abroad. Although you can also get them at the bar it's probably not the best way, since they charge €45 per CD. The drinks are not so over-priced, and definitely worth it for the hip, sophisticated, and chill atmosphere. edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-Range

• Phytéas's houseboat B&B, Port des Champs-Elysées (Métro: Concorde) (contact@private-homes.com), [5]. B&B in a houseboat a few meters from the Place de La Concorde and the Champs-Elysées. Truly a unique way to experience Paris. The houseboat is moored on the Seine in a very picturesque location between Pont Alexandre III, the most beautiful bridge in Paris, and Concorde Bridge. 150 € per night for two people including breakfast.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Hotel de Crillon, 10 Place de la Concorde (northern side), Champs-Élysées, ☎ +33 1 44 71 15 01 (fax: +33 1 44 71 15 03), [6]. Without doubt, one of the most prestigious, palatial and expensive hotels in Paris (if you have to ask how much, you can't afford to stay here. Superior doubles start at €530.... prices rise steeply thereafter, especially for the suites).  edit

• Hotel Sofitel Le Faubourg-Paris, 15, rue Boissy d'Anglas, ☎ +33 1 44 94 14 14 (fax: +33 1 44 94 14 28), [7]. This hotel is located in 2 buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. 154 rooms and 20 suites. edit

• Four Seasons Hotel George V, 31, avenue George V, ☎ +33 1 49 52 70 00 (fax: +33 1 49 52 70 100), [8]. Steps from the Champs-Elysées, with private terraces that command all Paris; 17th-century tapestries, lovingly restored; and a spirit that lives on in thoroughly reborn, highly advanced spaces, Four Seasons George V Paris redefines luxury service in the City of Light. edit

• Hyatt Regency Paris - Madeleine, 24 Boulevard Malesherbes, ☎ +33 1 55 27 12 34 (madeleine@hyattintl.com), [9]. Boutique hotel size with personalized service. Has 2 good restaurants. edit

• Hotel Balzac, 6, rue de Balzac, ☎ 866 914 8916. This elegantly furnished hotel exudes opulence from its fine classic interior to the personalied butler service on offer. edit

[edit] Contact

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