Place de la Concorde
Stretching two kilometers from the Place de la Concorde to the Place Charles de Gaulle, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is bookended by two of the city's most notable monuments: the Arc de Triomphe and the Obélisque de Louxor. The former was commissioned by Napoleon I in 1806 to exalt his imperial troops. Upon its completion in 1836, it was – and remains – the world's largest triumphal arch. Since 1920, the Arc de Triomphe has also been the site of France's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
On the avenue's eastern end, the 3,300-year-old obelisk was a gift to Charles X to from the Egyptian viceroy Mehemet Ali in 1829. The 23-meter-high obelisk was taken from the Temple of Luxor and is adorned with hieroglyphics depicting the reign of Ramses II.
In addition to the boulevard's architectural highlights, its broad dimensions and plethora of shops have made it a popular route for city strolls. Luxury stores such as Balenciaga, Christian Lacroix, Escada, Givenchy, Hermès and Valentino are located within the vicinity; brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Hugo Boss have also recently begun to move in. The Galerie Marchande des Champs-Élysées, a major shopping center, is located nearby.
