5 reasons to explore Paris’s prestigious Golden Triangle

This is the illustrious avenue of Haute Couture, where a century of designers and artists have pursued boldness and passion. With a view of the Eiffel Tower at one end and the avenue des Champs-Elysées at the other, it’s no wonder Christian Dior decided to create his first atelier here. Many major fashion houses followed his lead, and today you’ll find boutiques including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Valentino and Armani lining the avenue. You’ll also find our very own Hôtel Plaza Athénée, where iconic moments and love stories have been played out since 1913, making it a true Parisian symbol of the best of everything.

The reason so many people love the Eiffel Tower is the way you can see it from so many angles around the city. It gives you your bearings and acts as a constant reminder of the city you’re in. From within the Golden Triangle you have some of the finest views of this legendary landmark. Our favourites include standing on the Alma Bridge overlooking the Seine or from one of our very own balconies at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, especially the perfectly framed window of our much-loved Haute Couture Suite.

Stretching all the way from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde, these two historic landmarks act like perfectly placed bookends, offering a grand entrance from either end. This eminent avenue is lined with a whole host of enticing shops and restaurants. It was also the setting for the liberation parade in 1944 marking the end of WWII. Each year the July 14 celebrations take place here and it’s the finishing line for the Tour de France.

At Hôtel Plaza Athénée we’re proud of our much-loved neighbour the Théâtre des Champs Elysées. Like us, it first opened its doors in 1913 and is a wonderful example of Art Nouveau style. This beautiful theatre, designed by Auguste Perret, soon gained a following after the premiere performance of Le Sacre du Printemps by Igor Stravinsky. Nowadays, it still hosts world-famous operas, orchestras and musical theatre shows that are well-worth booking up for in advance.

Artcurial is a high-profile French auction house located on the corner of avenue Montaigne and avenue des Champs-Élysées, in the historic Hôtel Marcel Dassault. It’s home to a vast selection of art and collectors’ items, ranging from classic cars and unique jewellery to fine wines and furniture. It’s has a popular art bookstore with plenty of coffee table worthy books. There’s also a library of 18,000 contemporary works relating to 20th-century art.