Champs-Elysees ....better with or without traffic?

Tourist can get a picture of the Arc de Triomphe without all the cars, as they always try to stand in the middle of the street to take pictures with the Arc de Triomphe in the background with all the traffic flowing, which is kind of risky.

Breathing in diesel exhaust and dealing with vehicular noise is not really pleasant anywhere, that's why cities give pedestrians and bicyclists a break once in a while (it's a quality of life improvement and cuts down on pollution at least temporarily). I'd much rather see it without the related pollution.

We happened to stumble upon this when I went 2 years ago. It was amazing. Way better than with all the cars IMO.

Ya, it was almost spooky as we were unaware it was closed. Have a great picture of us standing in the middle with the tower behind us. All that the traffic adds is just noise and congestion.

I would go without the presence of the cars, get the ambience that way. Based on my schedule at this moment, I may just be back in Paris that first Sunday to experience that.

So will the “stylish shops” that RS writes about be open on that Sunday? I noted from his daily reminders section that he says shops are largely closed on Sundays. Wondering if they make an exception along Champs-Elysees that particular Sunday. It certainly seems like it would be a smart move for the shops to be open that day.

Personally, I think Champs-Élysées is better off not visited regardless of traffic. The "ambience" is long gone, and it's time as a must see Paris attraction has long since passed. Now it is just another "mall" (maul?) of international chain stores. #mytoosense