Champs-Élysées in Paris to undergo a green overhaul

Paris' iconic Champs-Élysées is about to be revamped into a lush, pedestrian-friendly avenue, following approval from Mayor Anne Hidalgo for a major renovation initiative.

This renowned thoroughfare, famous for its luxury shopping, currently hosts eight lanes of traffic, stretching from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.

Plans designed by architect Philippe Chiambaretta and his agency, PCA-STREAM, will reduce vehicle lanes by 50%, expanding sidewalks and introducing more greenery, with the aim of creating 'planted living rooms' for pedestrians.

The goal of the transformation is to revive the area, which, before the pandemic, had started to lose its upscale appeal, especially following disruptive protests by the 'gilet jaune' anti-government demonstrators.

The Champs-Élysées committee, a local group dedicated to enhancing and developing the area, expressed their joy in a statement after Mayor Hidalgo's announcement in an interview with French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche.

“The legendary avenue has seen its shine fade over the past three decades,” said the committee, which had been working on renovation proposals for three years prior to the announcement.

“It has gradually been forsaken by Parisians, suffering through a series of crises, including the gilet jaunes protests, strikes, and the ongoing health and economic turmoil,” the committee stated in the press release.

Reimagining Paris' future

PCA-STREAM reports that over 66% of the foot traffic comes from tourists, while only 5% of the visitors are Parisians.

The committee expressed its excitement about the decision, stating that the renovation shows the town hall is aiming to make the Champs-Élysées’ complete overhaul one of the most remarkable urban projects of the decade.

Hidalgo announced that the first phase of the project will focus on renovating Place de la Concorde before Paris hosts the 2024 Summer Olympics, with the rest of the avenue’s transformation set to follow after the Games.

A representative from Paris City Hall informed Dinogo that additional details of the plan will be revealed next week.

Paris officials are also working on a broader revitalization effort in preparation for the 2024 Olympics.

Unused and neglected spaces will be repurposed into new dining spots, themed hotels, museums, and recreational destinations.

Some of these projects were selected as part of the city’s urban renewal initiative, 'Reinventing Paris,' which was launched in 2014. Notable projects include cleaning up the Seine River and greening the Eiffel Tower.