avenue Montaigne

Avenue Montaigne is a street in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France. Origin of the name Avenue Montaigne was originally called the Allée des Veuves (widows' alley) because women in mourning gathered there, but the street has changed much since those days of the early 18th century. The present name comes from Michel de Montaigne, a writer of the French Renaissance. In the 19th century, the street earned some renown for its sparkling and colourful Bal Mabille (Mabille Gardens) on Saturday nights. Fashion Avenue Montaigne boasts numerous stores specialising in high fashion, such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, Fendi, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Chloe, Giorgio Armani, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, as well as jewellers like Bulgari and other upscale establishments such as the prestigious Plaza Athénée hotel.