Qatar Controls Over 20% of Paris’s Iconic Champs-Elysées
Paris, France, When people talk about the Champs-Elysées, they frequently imagine grand arterials, luxury brands, and swank cafés stretching from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.
But behind its charm and appeal lies a lesser-known fact: further than a fifth of this world- notorious avenue is owned by Qatari investors.
According to public property records, Qatari families and investment finances enjoy over 390 metres of the 1.3-kilometer stretch. That’s over 20% of “the world’s most beautiful avenue,” as it’s often described.
The Gulf state’s presence on the Champs-Élysées is impossible to miss. Qatar’s delegacy sits near the Arc de Triomphe, while its investments are scattered across some of the avenue’s most prized parcels.
One prominent example is the Streamline Moderne Art Deco building at number 52. Previously home to the Virgin Megastore, it was acquired in 2012 by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) for more than €500 million.
Today, it hosts flagship stores like Galeries Lafayette and Monoprix. Another key holding is at numbers 103-111.
Le saviez-vous ?
Le Qatar possède 20% des Champs-Elysées.
Voilà, c’est tout. pic.twitter.com/3KI4XHbIGe
— Tom Boyer (@tomalxbr) September 17, 2025
Bought from HSBC in 2010 for €440 million, this building is set to house Louis Vuitton after a major renovation. For now, it’s hidden behind an oversized metallic trunk adorned with the fashion giant’s logo.
Christian Dubois, head of retail in France at Cushman & Wakefield, explains the strategy behind these investments: “Qatar has invested because buildings on the Champs-Elysées are expensive and offer good returns.
These are highly sought-after assets and the ultimate secure investments.”
This investment spree didn’t happen by chance. It was encouraged by bilateral agreements signed in the 1990s between France and Qatar, which gave the Gulf state and its citizens significant tax benefits.
Exemptions from property capital gains and investment income taxes made Parisian real estate an even more attractive option.
The Qatari presence isn’t unique. Other global investors, including insurers, sovereign wealth funds, and luxury conglomerates, have also placed their bets on the avenue.
Amundi and Generali have stakes there, while AXA controls two buildings.
In an era where prestige meets profit, the Champs-Elysées continues to be a magnet for investors worldwide.
And with Qatar’s strategic positioning, the avenue’s glittering skyline is set to reflect even more global influence in the years to come.
