Champs Elysees - is described as the world's most beautiful avenue, but only by people who have not been there for several decades.

 In practice, it is a 'disaster' according to renown French architect, Philippe Chiambaretta. He says and I totally agree and most Parisians too, the avenue has become tacky, polluted and hated and the French tend to avoid it if at all possible. The only one who walk its broad avenue are tourists, in the thousands. 

BUT, The  city is seeking to being back this glorious avenue to its history with reducing traffic, widening pavements, planting trees and redesigning store fronts. 

The avenue which was in the middle of the woods until Emperor Napoleon III ordered the design of the French capital  in the second half of the 19th century, was long liked by Parisians. It used to be a very nice and fashionable part of the city. Parisians would love to  go there, essentially to walk amidst nature.

But the last 30 years its turned into an outdated and unpleasant area, 11,000 cars an hour producing tons of pollution. It's become  a highway and a terrible shopping mall.  Why would anyone go there, the locals ask?

The area is about to be redone, the first stage of re-enchantment has begun to bring life back into the area with much greenery..