SocialMaharaj Technology, Travel, Food et al
Related Articles
Ever since reading French books in school, I dreamt of visiting Paris one day, and I’m fortunate that it happened. I had just completed my Roland Garros Stadium tour and realised that I had a lot of time on hand. That’s when I decided to head to Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées and experience these places up close.
In this blog post, I’ll share my experience of walking down the fashion capital (and street) of the world (in my rather unfashionable outfit) and reminisce everything that I read about both these places in my French blue book.
The History of Parisian Icons
The Eiffel Tower gets the limelight being one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city. I feel both Arc De Triomphe and Champs-Élysées deserve your time. Both these monuments are as Parisian as it can get and a must-visit whenever you’re in the city. But before I share my experience, let me give you a short background about the history of these iconic places.
Arc de Triomphe
This was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 and took almost 30 years to complete as the construction was halted multiple times. It was built to honour the French army’s victories during the Napoleonic Wars. Today, it stands as one of Paris’s most revered monuments, symbolizing national pride and commemorating the sacrifices of French soldiers. The arch’s intricate carvings and inscriptions tell stories of heroic battles and victories that shaped France’s history. The India Gate in New Delhi is inspired by Arc de Triomphe.
Champs-Élysées
Originally an extension of the Tuileries Garden, the Champs-Élysées transformed in the 17th century when André Le Nôtre, the landscape architect behind the gardens of Versailles, extended the city’s main axis. Over the centuries, it grew into a grand avenue lined with trees, theatres, and cafés, becoming a hub for Parisian society. In the late 18th century, an association was formed to promote commerce along the avenue by the mid-1900s global brands set up their store and turned this into a shopper’s paradise. Today, you’ll find iconic stores from iconic brands at Champs-Élysées – many brands that you may not have even heard of!
My Journey to Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées
After finishing my Roland Garros Stadium tour, I hopped on the metro and headed towards Trocadéro. I had the weekly unlimited Paris Metro pass that I used extensively to commute in the city.
The open square from where you can catch a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower. With the weather on my side, I decided to walk. As I strolled through the streets, I was captivated by the beauty around me—each building looked like a piece of art. The city’s famed café culture was alive and well, with numerous outdoor seating spots lining the streets, though the prices were a bit steep for my wallet.
As I continued walking, the Arc de Triomphe came into view in the distance. I hadn’t purchased a ticket to climb to the top, so I opted to just go around it. The monument is majestic, with intricate carvings that are truly a sight to behold. While I know that the India Gate was inspired by this, I have to say the design here feels far more intricate and detailed. The area though reminded me a lot of Charminar in Hyderabad, with traffic buzzing around the monument, so I had to be mindful of my steps as I circled it.
By this time I was a little tired, hungry, thirsty and also wanted to pee. I headed to Lateral Cafe and ordered a vegan quinoa salad with butternut squash (my first time trying it) along with an in-house ginger ale, which was absolutely refreshing.
I also used this break to access the café’s restroom since public toilets are hard to come by in Europe. Definitely, something to keep in mind while travelling here!
Walking In The Fashion Captial
After the quick pit stop, I made my way to the Champs-Élysées. I couldn’t resist standing in the middle of the road to snap the perfect shot of the Arc de Triomphe. The street is bustling with activity, one of the busiest in the city, and lined with luxury stores. I spotted the iconic Louis Vuitton store, where people were queuing up to enter. Tempted as I was to go inside, the long queue made me reconsider. There was also a Dior store that looked fabulous from the outside and a colourful Nike outlet that caught my eye.
Amidst all these attractions were eateries and famous spots like Ladurée, known for its legendary macarons. I was excited to visit but, unfortunately, the queue was almost an hour long, so I decided to skip it and ended up buying some macarons at the airport on my way back.
Just as I was exploring, the sky opened up and it started to rain. Fortunately, I had my umbrella with me as I had checked the weather predictions beforehand, and they turned out to be spot on. The rain added to the Parisian charm. Though I didn’t get to do everything I had in mind—like visiting the Louis Vuitton store or dining at Ladurée—I still had some time left in the day. So, I decided to head towards Montmartre. But that’s a story for the next post.
A Parisian Experience That You Must Try
Overall, it was quite a Parisian day. The area and monuments are undeniably beautiful, and the people add to the experience. People dress so elegantly, even on a regular day, which is a stark contrast to India, where you’d see people dressed up like that only for weddings or special events. Though I’m not a fashion enthusiast, I couldn’t help but feel a bit out of place amidst all the simple yet classy outfits.
To wrap up, my day exploring the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées was nothing short of magical. From the breathtaking walk through charming streets to the grandeur of the Arc itself, every moment felt like stepping into a living piece of history.
While a few of my plans didn’t pan out—like visiting the Louis Vuitton store or dining at Ladurée—I still got to experience the true Parisian vibe. The bustling avenue, the iconic monuments, and even the unexpected rain all added to the charm.
Feel free to drop a comment for any further information or reach out to me for any assistance. Drop your thoughts in the comments below, tweet to me at @Atulmaharaj, DM on Instagram, or Get In Touch.
