Paris Champs-Élysées (8ème)

If the Champs-Élysées were a supermodel, it would have been forced to retire for being well past its prime. The arrondissementwas synonymous with fashion throughout the 19th century, and the boulevards here are still lined with the vast mansions, expensive shops, and grandiose monuments that keep the tourists coming. But the sense of sophistication and progress has since been dampened by charmless boutiques, office buildings, and car dealerships; these areas are comatose after dark. Only the Champs itself throbs late into the night, thanks to its unparalleled nightclubs and droves of tourists. A stroll along Avenue Montaigne, rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, or around the Madeleine will give a taste of what life in Paris is like for the excessively rich. While low prices usually mean low quality here—particularly for accommodations—there are a few good restaurants and many great museums. The northern part of the neighborhood, near the Parc Monceau, is a lovely and less-touristed area for walking.

More Neighborhoods in Paris

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