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Paris is still known the world over for having a distinct lack of green space. But the city has big plans to change that, and it’s well on its way to meeting its pledge to cover half the city in ‘planted areas’ by 2030. Work is already under way to plant four forests right by major landmarks and the world’s largest urban farm is open for business. Now the city’s most famous street, the sweeping Champs-Élysées, is to be turned into an ‘extraordinary garden’ as part of a massive €250 million makeover.
Known as the location for the city’s annual Bastille Day parade, the Champs-Élysées is comparable to New York’s Fifth Avenue or London’s Park Lane. Now Paris’s mayor, Anne Hidalgo, has given the go-ahead for a major redesign of the 1.9km-long avenue, which stretches from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.
Paris seeks to revamp Champs Élysées by turning it into an urban garden
The avenue is clogged with tourists and heavy traffic.
The Champs-Élysées, one of the most famous avenues in Paris, is set to be given a full makeover to transform it into what Mayor Anne Hidalgo says will be an extraordinary garden. The project will cost over €250 million (USD300 million) and comes after years of complaints by Parisians over the growing crowds and noise pollution in the area.
Image credit: Flickr / Eerko Vissering
One of the world’s most famous shopping streets, the Champs-Élysées has eight lanes of traffic running between the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde. Its name is French for the mythical Greek paradise, the Elysian Fields. It was originally a mixture of swamp and kitchen gardens but it has been gradually transforming.
Paris famed Champs-Élysées avenue is going to be turned into what will be an extraordinary garden, promises the city mayor.
Mayor
Hidalgo recently confirmed the news in
Journal du Dimanche, following years of preparation and campaigning. The main backing came from the Champs-Élysées committee, which represents the cultural and economic players on the Avenue (museums, theatres, brands and independent shops).
Since 2018, the committee has been working on a project to redevelop the 2 km promenade between the Arc de Triomphe and Concorde. It says the mythical avenue has lost its splendour over the past thirty years, which is why change is on the horizon.