Is it really only two months since Paris’ famous Champs-Élysées got its mojo back? That was after a debilitating period since October 2018 when the populist gilets jaunes or “yellow vests” movement started mass demonstrations and regularly vandalised the most famous of Paris streets.
![The entrance to the new Dior boutique on the Champs-Elysées, near the Arc de Triomphe Paris Has A Makeover For The 21st-Century Shopper-1](https://vogue.gr/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/champs-elysees-dior-shop.jpg)
Now, although no one dares to announce that the street revolution is over, the protective wooden hoardings and metal window grates are quietly disappearing. In their place is a retail upgrade that started with the opening of a new Galeries Lafayette. That move by an established and well-known Paris retailer has now inspired a cluster of other upmarket stores. A few doors down from Tiffany – an early arrival on “the Champs” – Chanel has opened a beauty boutique right beside the entrance to Galeries Lafayette, and both shops stay open late (Galeries Lafayette until 11pm Monday to Saturday; Chanel until 8.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 11pm on Friday and Saturday).
![The soaring interior of the new Galeries Lafayette on the Champs-Élysées. This most famous of Parisian department stores opened here in March 2019 Paris Has A Makeover For The 21st-Century Shopper-2](https://vogue.gr/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2-interior-of-the-new-galeries-lafayette-department-store-on-champs-elysees-which-opened-march-2019-getty.jpg)
There is a great deal to do to fill these hours. In line with changing attitudes to beauty treatments that let customers “help themselves” – as pioneered by Sephora further up the road – Chanel Beauty mixes an open attitude with ultra-exclusive products. Inside the streamlined boutique you can find lipsticks and sunglasses, but also super-glamorous, unique potions and accessories.