Travel 7 minutes 10 July 2025

Beyond the Arc de Triomphe: A MICHELIN Guide to the Champs-Élysées

The Champs-Élysées is more than a tourist trap — it’s home to some of Paris’ best restaurants, hidden boutiques, cultural gems and unexpected local favorites. Read on to see what to bookmark.

The Champs-Élysées has long been a symbol of Parisian flair — where artists like Salvador Dalí wandered, Josephine Baker performed, and close to where designer Christian Dior opened his first boutique on Avenue Montaigne. But over time, the avenue slipped into tourist cliché: fast fashion, selfie sticks and souvenir shops that outnumbered cultural landmarks.

The Arc de Triomphe stands in the center of Etoile roundabout at the top end of the Champs-Elysées (left) and the inner courtyard at the Petit Palais museum at the bottom of the avenue (right). © Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide
The Arc de Triomphe stands in the center of Etoile roundabout at the top end of the Champs-Elysées (left) and the inner courtyard at the Petit Palais museum at the bottom of the avenue (right). © Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide

However, the tide is turning. A wave of reinvestment — from MICHELIN-Starred restaurants to urban greening projects — is restoring the neighborhood’s creative pulse. Beyond the Arc de Triomphe, the neoclassical arch bulit at the top end of the Champs-Elysées to honor France’s military victories, are reinvigorated cultural venues and the city’s highest concentration of MICHELIN Stars. Among the standouts is One-Star Origines, Chef Julien Boscus’ refined yet quietly local restaurant. “There’s a real vie de commerçant here,” Boscus says. “A sense of neighborhood life.”

Whether you're visiting for the first time or seeing it with new eyes, the Champs-Élysées is ready for its renaissance. Here's where to eat, drink and stay along Paris’ most iconic boulevard.

Where to Eat Around the Champs-Elysées, Paris

The history of the Champs-Élysées is steeped in prestige, dating back to the 17th century when King Louis XIV decided to transform the area. By the 18th century, it was the go-to spot for Paris’ elite, with the bourgeoisie building grand homes and theaters along the avenue. Then, Napoleon I added the Arc de Triomphe, a tribute to the emperor’s military victories, locking in the avenue’s iconic status. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Champs-Élysées became the heart of luxury fashion. It’s unsurprising that today, along a greener avenue and surrounds, you’ll find many of Paris’ most elegant hotels and restaurants in and around this legendary thoroughfare.

The entrance of the Plaza Athénée hotel and appetizers at the Peninsula hotel's newly relaunched rooftop bar. © Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide - Maelle Saliou/The Peninsula Club
The entrance of the Plaza Athénée hotel and appetizers at the Peninsula hotel's newly relaunched rooftop bar. © Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide - Maelle Saliou/The Peninsula Club
Opened in 2019, Origines has just received its first Star in The MICHELIN Guide’s 2025 selection — a recognition that felt inevitable to many, including celebrated Chefs Pierre Gagnaire and Yannick Alléno, both of whom Boscus once worked alongside. Boscus describes his cuisine as classic French with subtle modern twists. The daily menu might feature hare à la royale alongside foie gras delicately perfumed with lemongrass. At its core, Origines is rooted in French terroir — 95% of its ingredients are sourced from France. As for wine, the list boasts over 800 references, with an astonishing 99.9% coming from French vineyards.
Julien Boscus, Chef Owner of the restaurant Origines. © Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide
Julien Boscus, Chef Owner of the restaurant Origines. © Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide

Housed in a 19th-century mansion, Two-Starred Le Clarence, led by Chef Christophe Pelé, is a special-occasion favorite among Parisians — including those in the restaurant world. It’s the kind of place where you might spot a hip young chef celebrating a birthday with their family. Across the board, people love it.

Chef Christophe Pelé in the kitchen of his Two-Star restaurant Le Clarence. © Clemence Losfeld - Richard_Haughton/Le Clarence
Chef Christophe Pelé in the kitchen of his Two-Star restaurant Le Clarence. © Clemence Losfeld - Richard_Haughton/Le Clarence
Inside La Réserve hotel, a mansion once owned by Napoleon III's half-brother, Le Gabriel is an Inspector favorite and holder of a Three-Star designation. In a dining room flooded with natural light from soaring windows overlooking the Champs-Élysées gardens, Chef Jérôme Banctel serves artful, technically razor-sharp dishes influenced by regional flavors across France — for example, tender roast pigeon with fermented turnip and Apicius spices, or mackerel served on a hot stone, with bottarga, sea urchin and briny samphire.
The bright and light interiors of the restaurant Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen and a delicate dessert at the restaurant Le Gabriel at La Réserve hotel Paris. © Sebastian Mittermeier/Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen - Julie Limont/Le Gabriel - La Réserve Paris
The bright and light interiors of the restaurant Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen and a delicate dessert at the restaurant Le Gabriel at La Réserve hotel Paris. © Sebastian Mittermeier/Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen - Julie Limont/Le Gabriel - La Réserve Paris
The Three-Starred Alléno Paris – Pavillon Ledoyen, helmed by Chef Yannick Alléno, is a Parisian institution housed in a stunning 18th-century neoclassical pavilion just off the Champs-Élysées. A master of sauces — what he calls “the verb of French cuisine” — Alléno builds his cuisine on rich jus and precise extractions. Within the same property, you’ll also find Pavyllon Paris (One Star) and L’Abysse Paris (Two Stars), bringing the total to an impressive six MICHELIN Stars under one roof.
A dish at Le Cinq restaurant helmed by Chef Christian Le Squer at the Four Seasons Hotel George V (left) and the entrance to the Petit Palais museum (right). © Anne-Emmanuelle Thion/Le Cinq - Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide
A dish at Le Cinq restaurant helmed by Chef Christian Le Squer at the Four Seasons Hotel George V (left) and the entrance to the Petit Palais museum (right). © Anne-Emmanuelle Thion/Le Cinq - Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide

The Four Seasons Hotel George V, one of Paris’ most luxurious addresses, is home to the acclaimed Three-Starred Le Cinq. At the helm is Chef Christian Le Squer, who continually surprises and delights with his refined take on French classics. Renowned for his thoughtful sourcing — often working with farmers who specialize in a single product — Le Squer elevates simple dishes to the extraordinary. Think onion soup reimagined, or lobster paired with a foaming vin jaune-infused butter sauce. A native of Brittany, the chef often nods to his roots with delicate touches like a creamy cauliflower purée accompanying sea urchin roe.

Guerlain’s flagship at 68 Champs-Élysées has been a temple of French perfumery since 1914 (left) and one of Chef Bocus' summery creations at One-Star Origines. © Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide
Guerlain’s flagship at 68 Champs-Élysées has been a temple of French perfumery since 1914 (left) and one of Chef Bocus' summery creations at One-Star Origines. © Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide

Where to Drink Around the Champs-Elysées

A members-only spot established in the 1980s, the L’Aventure club was recently revitalized by Gilbert and Thierry Costes — the father-son hospitality duo behind Café Marly, Hotel Thoumieux, Matignon and more. With red lights shimmering off glittering mosaic tiles, the space radiates disco glam at its chicest. Drinks are straightforward yet premium — think Dom Ruinart bubbly, Billecart-Salmon Sous-Bois rosé and premium spirits like Seventy One gin and Rémy Martin Louis XIII cognac, with a bump of Osciètre Royal caviar if you’re feeling frisky.

In 2024, the award-winning CopperBay cocktail bar opened its third location inside Hotel Lancaster. “When we discovered the Hotel Lancaster, we fell in love with the art deco bar and patio,” says co-founder Elfi Fabritius. “The idea was to go back to [the spirit of] the Roaring Twenties: to create a stylish cocktail bar with a very friendly, festive atmosphere — away from the Champs-Élysées noise.” CopperBay Lancaster has since become a preferred sipping spot for cocktail connoisseurs, who rave about the creative concoctions, like the Tiramisu, featuring Metaxa 7 with cocoa nibs, amaretto, homemade vanilla syrup, cold brew coffee liqueur and cream. Mediterranean-inspired tapas and the weekly vinyl club, with a rotating cast of hot local DJs, add to the draw.

CopperBay bar inside Hotel Lancaster close to the Champs-Elysées and an Eiffel Tower view from one of the rooms. © Hotel Lancaster Paris
CopperBay bar inside Hotel Lancaster close to the Champs-Elysées and an Eiffel Tower view from one of the rooms. © Hotel Lancaster Paris

Creativity is on the menu at Le Bar at Four Seasons Hotel George V. The beverages are divided into classics, prestige cocktails — like the Seventy One Eau de Nuit gin martini with the breathiest hint of grapefruit — and Creation Cocktails, culinary-inspired drinks like the Madame Tatin, a Calvados creation that winks to the famed Normandy dessert.

Where to Stay Around the Champs-Elysées

Hotel Barrière Le Fouquet’s has obvious curb appeal. Set directly on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, many of the rooms offer Champs-Elysées views, and you can see the Arc de Triomphe from a handful of them. The on-site Brasserie Fouquet’s is legendary, its walls lined with shadowy celebrity portraits by Studio Harcourt — nodding to former regulars like Josephine Baker, Marlene Dietrich, François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard. Nowadays, the brasserie hosts the after-party for the annual César Awards, France’s answer to the Oscars.

A Jacques Garcia-designed room at Hotel Barrière Fouquet's Paris right on the Champs-Elysées (left) and the Théâtre du Rond-Point. © Hotel Barrière Fouquet's Paris - Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide
A Jacques Garcia-designed room at Hotel Barrière Fouquet's Paris right on the Champs-Elysées (left) and the Théâtre du Rond-Point. © Hotel Barrière Fouquet's Paris - Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide

When it opened in 1928, the Four Seasons Hotel George V (Three MICHELIN Keys) was at the cutting edge of hospitality, offering guests telephones with outside lines and dumbwaiters delivering meals to their rooms. Today the hotel continues to set the standard for luxury amenities, with a sprawling spa, MICHELIN-Starred dining and exclusive experiences such as private Eiffel Tower tours. From elegant guest rooms to signature suites, its 244 accommodations are a serene retreat in the heart of Paris.

A suite at Three-Key Four Seasons George V and a view from one of the rooms. © Four Seasons George V
A suite at Three-Key Four Seasons George V and a view from one of the rooms. © Four Seasons George V

Plaza Athénée, also a Three MICHELIN Key property, opened in 1913 — just weeks before its famed neighbor, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. It quickly became a destination for the theater and design set. In 1946, Christian Dior opened his first boutique nearby and would host fashion shows and photo shoots within the hotel’s Belle Époque walls. Today the legendary hotel offers guests a truly unparalleled experience, from its elegantly designed rooms with crystal chandeliers and Louis XIV-inspired decor to MICHELIN-Starred dining options and the ultrachic Dior Spa.

Nicknamed “the little Versailles,” The Peninsula Paris is a landmark of Parisian elegance dating back to 1908, when it first opened as the Hotel Majestic — a meeting place for cultural and political elites. Today the hotel’s storied past unfolds through a lens of modern luxury. Dining options abound, from L’Oiseau Blanc, the MICHELIN-Starred rooftop restaurant with panoramic Eiffel Tower views, to LiLi, renowned for its refined Cantonese cuisine. Guests can choose between sleek contemporary rooms — with clean lines, soft neutral palettes and cutting-edge technology — or historic suites adorned with gilded moldings, marble fireplaces and timeless Parisian charm.

The Peninsula Paris' newly relaunched rooftop bar with Eiffel Tower views. © Maelle Saliou/The Peninsula Club
The Peninsula Paris' newly relaunched rooftop bar with Eiffel Tower views. © Maelle Saliou/The Peninsula Club

For millennia, baths, spas, and wellness have formed the fabric of Roman life. It’s only natural that Bvlgari, the Roman-born brand, places exceptional spa experiences at the heart of its hotels. At the Bvlgari Hotel in Paris, located on Avenue George V, the spa spans 14,000 square feet of serene space, featuring Vicenza stone from Italy’s Veneto region and warm Burmese teak. Another highlight, for both guests and locals, is Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, led by the acclaimed Abruzzo-born chef, whose restaurant Reale holds Three MICHELIN Stars.

A table of dishes at Chef Niko Romito's Paris outpost inside the Bulgari hotel in Paris and the backlit spa, one of the most stylish in the city. © Il Ristorante - Niko Romito - Bulgari Hotel Paris
A table of dishes at Chef Niko Romito's Paris outpost inside the Bulgari hotel in Paris and the backlit spa, one of the most stylish in the city. © Il Ristorante - Niko Romito - Bulgari Hotel Paris

What to Do Around the Champs- Élysées

The Champs-Élysées may be a mecca for shopping and selfies, but it’s also a cultural hot spot brimming with theaters, cinemas, exhibitions and performance spaces. While many of these venues have storied pasts, they remain committed to offering compelling contemporary experiences.

Dating back to 1951, Crazy Horse Paris is a legendary cabaret once frequented by Dalí, where designers like Balenciaga and Gaultier crafted the iconic tiny costumes. “The costumes fit into a shoebox,” says Creative Director Andrée Deissenberg. “They highlight a hip or enhance a movement — couture, made to measure for each dancer.” Originally a variété theatre with singers, comedians and even square dancing, Crazy Horse found its signature cabaret style in the 1960s, inspired by the Rockettes and vintage pin-ups left behind by visiting GIs.

Today, under Deissenberg’s guidance, the audience skews younger and 64% female. “We’re a house of creation,” she says, collaborating with designers and choreographers to constantly reinvent the show. A tourist magnet and fashion-world hot spot, tickets during Paris Fashion Week rival front-row seats at Jacquemus.

The exterior of local institution Cinema Le Balzac (left) and inside ultra-sleek café Nuances nearby on rue de la Trémoille. © Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide
The exterior of local institution Cinema Le Balzac (left) and inside ultra-sleek café Nuances nearby on rue de la Trémoille. © Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide
Near the Golden Triangle, theater fans have plenty to choose from. While the Théâtre du Rond-Point features more contemporary productions, Théâtre Marigny offers a mix of musical theater and classic revivals in a beautifully restored 19th-century venue. Théâtre des Champs-Élysées is a temple of classical music, ballet and opera — and site of the most scandalous performance of the 20th century: the 1913 debut of The Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky, choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky.

For cinema lovers, the Champs-Élysées offers something for every taste. Gaumont Champs-Élysées, known for staging flashy premieres, blends old-school glamour with contemporary screens. For art house fans, L’Elysée Lincoln and Le Balzac are essential addresses for auteur-driven cinema.

The Grand Palais art venue, hosting landmark shows each season, located at the bottom end of the Champs-Elysées. © Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide
The Grand Palais art venue, hosting landmark shows each season, located at the bottom end of the Champs-Elysées. © Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide

As for exhibitions, the area is anchored by the Grand Palais, built for the 1900 World Expo, which regularly hosts major art and fashion exhibitions and whose spaces have just fully reopened after an ambitious renovation. Just across the road, the Petit Palais is a jewel box of a museum featuring fine art from antiquity to the early 20th century.

Whether you come for a blockbuster exhibition, a late lunch on a sunny terrace, or a moonlit walk toward the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées still delivers on its centuries-old promise: Paris, dressed to impress. What was once a royal promenade remains a grand stage for the city’s enduring appetite for creativity, spectacle, and style.

Hero Image : © Mary Quincy/The MICHELIN Guide

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