On November 20, at 7 p.m., actor Tahar Rahim will launch the Christmas lights on the avenue des Champs-Elysées, in Paris, for six weeks, until January 2, 2023. The Champs-Elysées Committee, association of 180 merchants who co-finance its million euro budget alongside the City of Paris and the Sephora brand, promises that this sparkling and golden show obtained thanks to millions of LEDs will be ” within reason “ et ” about “.
The construction sites in progress along the 2 kilometers of the track are much less so. Everything is in disproportion. Because, on the eve of the 2024 Olympic Games (OG) in Paris, the avenue, which 880,000 pedestrians walk each month, is upside down. Since September 15, road workers have been breaking up the sidewalks to replace the granite cobblestones of Lanhélin. The gardeners uproot, dig and replant the green spaces at the bottom of the avenue.
All have started the first phase of renovation, worth 30 million euros, intended to beautify the avenue; fourteen months of construction are planned, before a second phase, scheduled after the Olympic Games. The noise generated by these construction sites mingles with that of others, muffled by scaffolding and palisades. Because, on this avenue, “a new shop opens every week”recalls Marc-Antoine Jamet, Chairman of the Committee, who is also Secretary General of LVMH.
Petit lifting
In fact, at the end of October, The Kooples inaugurated a store, replacing that of Lacoste, another brand owned by the Swiss giant Maus Frères. The crocodile brand set up shop at the end of May on the sidewalk opposite, at number 50, in place of the former Gaumont Ambassade cinema, to open its 1,600 square meter (m²) “biggest store in the world”. At the end of September, Sandro signed its first address on the Champs, at number 91, on 300 m², to expand its network of 46 stores in Paris.
Several other projects are known. At the entrance to the Claridge gallery owned by the Axa insurance company, at number 74, the cut stone specialists are renovating the facade of the building of which Zara will occupy the foot. At the end of 2023, the Spanish clothing brand will operate a 3,000 m² point of sale there, replacing the one it operates at number 92. Higher up, behind a spectacular palisade made of mirrors, Saint Laurent, a luxury brand of the Kering group, is in the process of renovating No. 123. Four floors will be devoted to its collections. The inauguration is scheduled for 2023.
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