The mayor Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has said there are ambitious plans to transform Paris' famous street the Champs-Elysees. She said she wants to turn the 1.9km avenue an "extraordinary garden". The Champs-Elysees is the heart the French capital. It joins the Place de la Concorde the Arc de Triomphe. It is often called "the most beautiful avenue the world". However, many Parisians believe it looks old. They want it to look more modern. Ms Hidalgo said she wants to reduce the amount traffic on the avenue. She wants to cut the number car lanes to make more room pedestrians. She also wants to plant more trees to make it greener and more attractive.
The Champs-Elysees once showed how sophisticated and elegant Paris was. There were many car showrooms full luxury cars, and chic designer fashion stores. It was a magnet rich people who wanted to buy the latest brands. Today, it looks many other streets the world. It is full international chain stores, fast food restaurants and coffee shops. It will take a decade to beautify the Champs Elysees. Work will start it after the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ms Hidalgo said: "We will redo the Place de la Concorde the Olympic Games, then the full length the avenue afterwards. It will be an extraordinary garden." The budget the project is around $305 million.
