12 Best Things to Do on the Famous Champs-Élysées of Paris
Culture Travel may earn a commission through links on this website. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
I don’t believe there is a more famous street in Paris than the Champs-Élysées. Translated to “Elysian fields,” the name of the avenue means heaven on earth, essentially. At its height, the Champs Élysées was a sophisticated meeting place for politicians and intellectuals.
Today, it’s an internationally renowned shopping destination, with everyone from high fashion designers to fast fashion retailers installing their flagship stores on the street. The Champs-Élysées is a great place to pick up gifts for friends back home.
The Champs Élysées stretches from L’Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde in the 8th arrondissement of central Paris. If you’re staying nearby, you may be wondering what to do on the Champs-Élysées.
Here are a few ideas for your trip to Paris!
How to Get to the Champs-Élysées in Paris
The Champs-Élysées is well served by the Paris Métro:
- Line 1: Stops at Champs-Élysées-Clemenceau, Franklin D. Roosevelt, or George V (all directly on or near the avenue).
- Line 13: Stop at Champs-Élysées-Clemenceau.
- Line 9: Stop at Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- Line 2 or 6: Stop at Charles de Gaulle-Étoile (near the Arc de Triomphe, at the top of the Champs-Élysées).
Tour the Famous L’Arc de Triomphe
I recommend starting the day by climbing L’Arc de Triomphe, the famous Parisian monument located in Place Charles de Gaulle, built to commemorate the victories of Napoleon. It costs around 12€ to climb the monument and experience the spectacular views over the Champs-Élysées Avenue and Paris rooftops.
Eat Macarons at L’Adurée
Indulging in macarons at Ladurée on the Champs-Élysées is a quintessential Parisian experience, with the iconic patisserie offering an array of delicate, colorful macarons in flavors like pistachio, rose, and salted caramel.
Housed in an elegant setting at 75 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Ladurée combines its historic charm with exquisite craftsmanship, making it a must-visit for dessert lovers. Whether enjoyed in the opulent tea room or taken to-go in a signature pastel box, these macarons are a sweet highlight of any Champs-Élysées adventure.
There’s never a bad time to have a macaron when you’re in Paris. Never. Both L’adurée and Pierre Hermé have outposts on the Champs-Élysées for your pleasure!
L’adurée – 75 Avenue des Champs-Élysées
Pierre Hermé – 133 Avenue des Champs-Élysées
Catch a Cabaret Show
Catching a cabaret show at Lido de Paris on the Champs-Élysées is a dazzling experience, featuring the iconic “Paris Merveilles” revue with glamorous dancers, stunning costumes, and mesmerizing sets at 116 Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
The Lido, a historic venue since 1946, offers an unforgettable evening of French cabaret with performances blending burlesque, acrobatics, and live music, perfect for a night of Parisian allure. Guests can enhance their experience with gourmet dinner packages or champagne, making it a quintessential stop for entertainment on the famous avenue.
116 Avenue des Champs-Élysées
Go Luxury Fashion Shopping
As I mentioned, the street is now famous for its shopping. You can find a store for every type of style, budget, and taste imaginable!
Luxury shopping on the Champs-Élysées in Paris offers an unparalleled experience, with iconic designer boutiques like Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Dior lining the grand avenue.
Dior is one of the most coveted brands from Paris!
Pick up a piece of jewelry to last a lifetime at the Cartier boutique!
Moncler is great for ski clothing and cold weather comfort pieces.
Longchamp is known for its popular Pliage folding tote bags in a rainbow of colors!
This world-renowned destination blends high-end fashion with the charm of Parisian elegance, attracting style enthusiasts globally. From flagship stores to exclusive collections, the Champs-Élysées is a must-visit for luxury shopping in the heart of the City of Light.
Shop for Affordable Clothing
Shopping for affordable clothing from brands like Lacoste and Petit Bateau on the Champs-Élysées in Paris can be a rewarding experience if you know where to look.
Lacoste has a flagship store on the Champs-Élysées, offering its signature polo shirts, sportswear, and casual apparel. To shop affordably, visit during seasonal sales (like summer or winter soldes in January and July) when discounts can reach up to 50%.
Petit Bateau, known for quality basics and children’s clothing, has a store on the Champs-Élysées.
The Galeries Lafayette department store sells a mix of affordable fashion designers and luxury pieces. It’s worth a visit, especially if it’s raining as the store is huge and comprises several levels!
Stores like Zara and H&M on the Champs-Élysées carry affordable, trendy clothing that complements the classic styles.
Shop for Beauty and Perfume
Shopping for beauty and perfume on the Champs-Élysées in Paris is a luxurious experience, with prestigious brands like Guerlain, Biologique Recherche, and Lancôme offering exquisite products.
Guerlain’s historic boutique at 68 Champs-Élysées showcases iconic fragrances like Shalimar and bespoke perfume consultations in an elegant setting.
Biologique Recherche, available at select nearby spas or retailers, provides high-performance skincare tailored to individual needs, beloved by beauty aficionados.
Lancôme offers sophisticated makeup and fragrances, perfect for indulging in Parisian glamour.
The Yves Rocher store on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, located at 63 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, offers botanical beauty products, from skincare to fragrances. Its elegant boutique sells eco-friendly, plant-based cosmetics.
Tour the Gardens of the Champs-Élysées Park
Hang out in the expansive park that lines the southern portion of the avenue. I love to buy crêpes from the many stands in this park!
Watch a Movie at Publicis Cinémas
You can watch a movie at Publicis Cinémas, located at 129 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris 8e arrondissement. This cinema, part of the iconic Publicisdrugstore, features two luxurious salas with optimal projection quality, including a 400-seat Prestige Room with the CST Excellence label and a 200-seat room.
Check Publiciscinemas.com for current showtimes and programs.
Catch an Art Auction at Artcurial
Artcurial is a leading French auction house, founded in 2002, specializing in fine art, jewelry, classic cars, and rare collectibles, with its headquarters at the historic Hôtel Marcel Dassault on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. It organizes over 100 auctions annually across more than 20 departments, achieving a sales volume of €216.5 million in 2022, and has a strong international presence with offices in cities like Brussels, Milan, and Monaco.
Visit a Free Art Exhibit at the Petit Palais
Just off the Champs-Élysées is Avenue Winston Churchill, where you can enter the Petit Palais – a beautiful art museum owned by the city of Paris. Entrance is free, and you can learn a lot about the history of Paris inside the palace.
Explore Place de la Concorde
Finally, end your walk at Place de la Concorde – the site of royal executions after the French Revolution.
If you’d like to continue your stroll through Paris, then don’t hesitate to walk through the Jardin des Tuileries until you end up at the Louvre Museum. From there, you can enter the Palais Royal or go south and cross the Pont des Arts.
