
On a vibrant Sunday, the heart of the City of Light bore witness to an uncommon spectacle. The Champs-Élysées, Paris’s most celebrated promenade, morphed into an enormous outdoor banquet, spreading jubilance under the azure sky. About four thousand individuals had the opportunity to partake in this grand al fresco dining experience, their faces radiant in the gentle sunshine.
Chosen through a lottery system, the lucky attendees were handed complimentary gourmet baskets. These contained a range of mouthwatering creations, a testament to the culinary expertise of Paris’s top-tier chefs. From flaky puff pastries to innovative sandwiches, each morsel was a taste of France’s exquisite culinary legacy.
Adding to the festive environment were eight makeshift kitchens that came alive with gastronomic fervor. Renowned restaurants on the avenue extended their culinary largesse, leading the food preparation. Among these culinary contributors was the legendary Fouquet’s, their presence complementing the universally recognized fast-food chain, McDonald’s.
Underneath where the iconic Arc de Triomphe stands tall, this mammoth picnic unfurled its grandeur. Orchestrated by the Comité Champs-Élysées, the event painted a beautiful portrait of French leisurely life.
The stage was set with a colossal tablecloth, extending 216 meters (236 yards) from the Arc de Triomphe to the intersection of Avenue George V. With a total surface area of 4,212 square meters (45,338 square feet), this vast canvas for the picnic was a marvel to behold. Adding a cherry on top, the tablecloth boasted of its Made in France origin, crafted skillfully from 100% recycled fibers.
In an act of camaraderie and public acknowledgment, Mayor Anne Hidalgo also graced this one-of-a-kind event. This community-centric initiative was not the first from the innovative minds at the Champs-Élysées Committee. Known for creating outdoor magic, the committee’s repertoire includes mass movie screenings and the world’s largest dictation event.
Coming precisely two months before the Parisian grandeur will be on the global stage with the Summer Olympics’ opening ceremony, this lively gathering of locals and tourists on the Champs-Élysées served as a well-received precursor.