Emperor Maximilian wanted a direct path between the Historic Center and his palace in Chapultepec Park, so he laid out this famous boulevard with Paris' Champs Elysees in mind. Today, office buildings and hotels rise above the tree-lined promenades and glorietas (traffic circles), but it's still a nice place to stroll and look at the many monuments, fountains and statues of Mexican heroes. Recent renovations have spruced up the avenue, adding new benches, lighting and trees.
