A major project will transform the Champs-Elysées. The metamorphosis will be impressive.
If the Champs-Élysées have long been seen as the most beautiful avenue in the world, they are increasingly neglected by Parisians. Marc-Antoine Jamet, president of the Champs-Élysées committee, revealed that according to a survey, out of 100 people who frequent the avenue, only two are Parisians. The committee then presented the results of a vast study carried out to “re-enchant the Champs-Elysées”. The architect Philippe Chiambaretta was commissioned with the contribution of 183 experts and the consultation of 97,000 citizens and this resulted in 152 detailed proposals, submitted to Paris City Hall.
“The subject is to find a balance so that Parisians rediscover the simple taste of coming to have a good time on the avenue. We want everyone to feel good there whatever their social background and geographical origin. We want that everyone has an opportunity to come to the Champs-Élysées to visit a museum, see a play, simply walk there, show their family, their friends”, explained Emmanuel Grégoire, first deputy at the Town Hall of Paris, reports LSA.
This project is moving around four main axes. The first is to “give back the Champs-Elysées to everyone”. This would notably involve a better distribution of mobility spaces. In particular, it is envisaged to reduce the traffic lanes from 6 to 4. The study also proposes to reserve 13% additional space for walking with a widening of the sidewalks. Place de l’Etoile and Place de la Concorde will also be more pedestrianized. Furthermore, the Champs-Elysées would come back to life through the creation of events such as parades or festivals. The programming would revolve around culture, gastronomy, well-being and educational games.
The second issue is environmental. The committee wants to give space to trees and cycle paths. The project aims to increase permeable soils on the avenue by 120%. Eight plant rooms, composed of seats, shade and fountains are also planned and the 20 hectares of gardens near the Concorde would be transformed into a real Parisian park.
The third objective focuses on the search for “aesthetic coherence”, which could involve a lighting identity and harmonization of the furniture. 25 kiosks would also be added all along the avenue. Finally, it will be necessary to “build the Champs-Elysées of innovation”, that is to say, create a digital twin of the avenue and offer interactive routes.
According to Marc-Antoine Jamet, the avenue needs modernity, believing that the Champs-Élysées are still “too anchored in the 19th century” and must “move into the 21st century”. However, this project would require a budget of 250 million euros and the construction time is estimated at 5 to 10 years.