On Sunday, November 24, the Champs-Elysées will once again shine brightly thanks to the end-of-year holiday illuminations. The opportunity to look at the origin of the name of the most famous avenue in the world.
The essentials of the day: our exclusive selection
Every day, our editorial team reserves the best regional news for you. A selection just for you, to stay in touch with your regions.
France Télévisions uses your email address to send you the newsletter “The essentials of the day: our exclusive selection”. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Our privacy policy
You are perhaps among the millions of people who have walked the Champs-Elysées without ever asking yourself the question “but what do the Champs-Elysées refer to?”. You may have the answer if you are keen on Greek or Roman mythology, because the Champs Elysée is a part of hell where virtuous people found themselves after their death. And yes, you need to know that! But why name an avenue like this? To understand, we have to take a step back in time.
Originally, the Champs-Elysées was an immense bushy and marshy land, crossed by the great sewer of Paris which flows into the Seine. It is also a place of pasture where bandits and prostitutes meet, in short, a place not very popular with Parisians!
In 1674, Louis In turn called the Grand-Cours, the large avenue of Roule, the avenue de la Grille Royale then the avenue du Palais des Thuillerie, the name Champs Elysées only appeared in the 1690s, symbolizing the privilege given to the people to stroll in a royal garden.
The illuminations of the Champs-Elysées can be experienced live on France 3 Paris Ile-de-France in ICI 19/20 on Sunday November 24.
-Related News :