Paris’ iconic avenue Champs-Élysées is to get a much-needed green makeover and turned in to “an extraordinary garden”.

Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo recently announced that the Champs-Élysées will be greened up with gardens, tree tunnels, and more pedestrian areas.

The renovation of the 1.2 mile long avenue involves significantly reducing the amount of vehicle traffic on the Champs-Élysées. The plan – by architect Philippe Chiambaretta and his firm PCA-Stream – will see the lanes of car traffic cut down and reclaimed by pedestrian space, with lots of new greenery planted. 

Today, the Champs-Élysées is mostly used by tourists and those who work on the avenue. The goal of the new plan is to appeal to locals who have lost interest in the area.

Paris will host the XXXIII Olympic Summer Games in 2024. Announcing the Champs-Élysées project in Le Journal du Dimanche, Anne Hidalgo said the avenue’s green makeover is one of several projects that will transform the city “before and after 2024”. In another project, the area around the Eiffel Tower is set to be turned into “an extraordinary park.” 

It is understood that the Place de la Concorde, at one end of the Champs-Élysées, will be transformed before 2024, while all other projects including the greening of the Champs-Élysées will proceed following the Olympics. 

Rosa Medea is Life & Soul Magazine’s Chief. She writes about lifestyle including sustainable and green living.