IDS - Index

IDS - magazine_summer2008 - Index

guide/guide
© Henri Garat / Mairie de Paris
C
hamps Elysées
Festivities
In July, the Champs Elysées is
THE place to be: for the July
14th military parade, always
spectacular, and for the finish
of the Tour de France cycle
race: mythical!
© Henri Garat / Mairie de Paris
© Reuters / Mairie de Paris
50 Greater Paris - summer / été 2008
Each year in July, the greatest avenue in
the world is decked out in all its finery.
The first main event: the 14th of July, the
national holiday, commemorates the
storming of the Bastille, on the 14th July
1789, by the citizens of Paris, and the start
of the French Revolution. Beside the public
ball on the Place de la Bastille, the day is
marked by a military parade on the
Champs Elysées. The programme includes
an infantry parade, including cadets from
the military training academies, such as the
prestigious Ecole Polytechnique, as well as
cavalry and armoured troops, and a flypast
by the French air force. These events are
punctuated by the arrival of the President
of the Republic and the Garde
Républicaine’s military band.
If you don’t want to miss anything of the
show? You need to arrive early, that is to
say towards 8 o’clock in the morning. A
good spot : between the Avenue George
Jours de fête
Chaque année, en juillet, la plus belle
avenue du monde revêt ses plus beaux
atours. Premier temps fort : le 14 juillet,
fête nationale, qui perpétue le souvenir du
14 juillet 1789, date de la prise de la Bastille
par les Parisiens et début de la Révolu-
Welcome to the Champs Elysées! The most magnificent
avenue in the world is close to both the Grand Palais and
the Petit Palais, built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900.
But it also boasts the Théâtre du Rond Point des Champs
Elysées, the Théâtre Marigny, Luxurious hotels such as
the Bristol or the Plaza Athénée, and such famous
restaurants as Ledoyen or Laurent. Apart from being a
tourist attraction, this district also hosts the Elysée Palace
and several embassies.
Bienvenue aux Champs Elysées ! La plus belle avenue du
monde se veut toute proche du Grand Palais et du Petit
Palais, construits pour l’Exposition universelle de 1900.
Mais aussi du théâtre du Rond Point des Champs Elysées,
du théâtre Marigny, de palaces de prestige, comme le
Bristol ou le Plaza Athénée, sans oublier les tables
célèbres que sont Ledoyen ou Laurent. Outre son attrait
touristique, ce quartier abrite également le Palais de
l’Elysée et plusieurs ambassades.
FRANKLIN-ROOSEVELT
V and the Rue de Marignan. Of course, the
ideal solution is to get an invitation to one
of the offices on the top floors situated
along the route. But if you have no strings
to pull, to get a head start, bring a stool or
step-ladder! You think I’m joking? Wait
and see: you will certainly not be the only
one!
Another major event in the summer
schedule of the Champs Elysées is the
finish of the Tour de France cycle race. This
year, the appointed day is the 27th of July
in middle of the afternoon. The finish of
the Etampes to Paris leg (143 km), the ride
up the Champs Elysées by the cyclists in
their colourful jerseys is a time of
celebration. The best place to watch the
final sprint? Place de la Concorde, because
the cyclists have to negotiate a sharp bend.
There again, plan to arrive as early as 2 pm,
so as not to miss anything of this great
cycle show! ■
En juillet, les Champs Elysées sont incontournables : à la fois
pour le défilé du 14 juillet, toujours très spectaculaire ; et pour
l’arrivée du Tour de France : mythique !
tion française. En marge du bal populaire
de la place de la Bastille, chaque 14 juillet
est l’occasion d’un défilé militaire sur les
Champs Elysées. Au programme : défilé
des troupes à pied parmi lesquels les élèves
des grandes écoles militaires, dont la pres-