Avenue Montaigne

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Avenue Montaigne, a street in the 8th arrondisement of Paris, France

Located on the strip, there are numerous stores specialising in high fashion, such as Dior, Chanel and Valentino, as well as jewellers like Bulgari and other toney establishment such as The Plaza Athenée hotel.

In the 1980s, the avenue Montaigne, in league with Bond Street in London, was considered the most important thoroughfare in France regarding high fashion as well as accessories. Also, established clothing designers set up there. Avenue Montaigne is now more important than rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré in Paris. The avenue owes much to the LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessey) group which made the street into what it is today. LVHM and its stable of top designers and firms, such as Céline, Vuitton, Inès de la Fressange and formerly Christian Lacroix, owns a substantial portfolio of real estate on the street.

Avenue Montaigne was first named the allée des Veuves (alley of widows) because women in mourning gathered there, but the street has changed much since those days of the early 18th century. The Mabille balls, sparkling Saturday night attractions in the 19th century, gave the avenue some renown. The colour and sparkle of those nights heralded its days as a great centre for haute couture in the 20th century.

Avenue Montaigne is now la grande dame of fashion.