On Sunday, around 4,400 Parisians gathered on the Champs-Élysées for a grand picnic on a 216-meter red-and-white checkered blanket, under the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe.
This event, dubbed Le Grand Pique-Nique de Champs, was meticulously organized by a committee of local businesses aiming to attract residents back to the area, which has become a predominantly tourist destination in recent decades.
Selected randomly from over 240,000 applicants, attendees enjoyed free culinary treats provided by nearby restaurants, including the famous Fouquet’s, both on the picnic blanket and on specially arranged long benches.
While the Champs-Élysées remains a bustling location, its visitor demographic has shifted significantly as rising real estate prices have driven out shops and cinemas that once catered to locals. For instance, LVMH reportedly paid over €1 billion ($1.08 billion) for the Louis Vuitton flagship store at the corner of Champs-Élysées and Avenue George V.
Luxury boutiques now share the avenue with more affordable, tourist-friendly chains like McDonald’s and the Disney Store.
Locals have also raised concerns about increasing crime and antisocial behavior on the avenue, a major intersection of several Paris Metro lines. The Champs-Élysées has also been a central site for large-scale protests, such as the gilets jaunes demonstrations that began in 2018.
Le Grand Pique-Nique is not the Comité Champs-Élysées’ first attempt to draw locals back; previous efforts included a giant spelling contest and an open-air cinema. This initiative coincides with similar efforts in other cities, like London, which is trying to revitalize its famous Oxford Street.
However, the high property costs remain a significant challenge, pushing out smaller retailers and food businesses unless they are profitable enough or use the location as a strategic, loss-leading showcase.
With tourists bringing substantial spending power, it’s natural for the most expensive areas to adapt to their preferences. Hosting more events like picnics might be one of the few ways to entice Parisians back, and it’s unlikely they would object.
