The ?World?s Most Beautiful Avenue? is slated for a makeover to turn the 1.4 mile (2.3 kilometre) street into an ?extraordinary garden?, reducing traffic and pollution.
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Once a swamp, the stretch of land was first redeveloped in the 17th Century by André Le Nôtre, gardener to the Sun King, Louis XIV, giving shape to the boulevard we know and love today. Since then the avenue has undergone several more redevelopments, and has been a site associated with celebration of the French spirit. In 1944 for example, Parisians celebrated their liberation from Nazi occupation out on these historic streets. World Cup victories also encourage public displays of nationalistic fervour, as does the annual Bastille Day parade.
However, in recent years, Champs-Élysées has fallen out of favour with Parisians, citing reasons such as pollution, ridiculously expensive cafes and boutiques, and traffic congestion. Among residents of the French capital, it has been criticised as being touristy and even ?ringarde?. According to PCA-Stream, tourists make up 72% of daily pedestrians and employees at the various establishments comprise 22%. That leaves ordinary Parisians who make up just 6% of the daily foot traffic. Needless to say, the title of ?World?s Most Beautiful Avenue? seems a little hollow when few of the city’s residents actually agree with it.

Tourists snapping a photo in front of Arc de Trio...