Gad Weil made news back in 1990 when he covered the entire Champs Elysées and made it into a corn field for the day. Now he’s back with a new, completely barmy project: closing the Champs Elysées to traffic for two days and setting up a “spectacular plant creation”. An urban happening not to be missed! Just look at the film below to see the effect it’ll have on you (the ending is a bit of a surprise) and read on for all the details…

It’s a mad, mad project that only the French could come up with: take ‘the most beautiful avenue in the world’™, close it off to traffic and fill it up with a huge garden-cum-work of art. Thanks to 2010 being International Biodiversity Year (but you knew that already) and 22nd May being International Biodiversity Day, Gad Weil and little helper Laurence Médioni have been able to get this outrageous and daring project off the ground after nearly two years of work.

But what exactly is Nature Capitale? Well, from the rond point des Champs Elysées up to the Arc de Triomphe (i.e. the entire main section of the avenue), the Champs Elysées will be completely shut off to traffic and 8,000 squares of greenery will take its place, with 150 species presented to explain the importance of biodiversity.

The strangest bit of the project is the money side of it; although entrance is free, the website (www.naturecapitale.com), has a ‘work of art’ (œuvre) section that allows you to choose a square that tickles your green fancy (they call it a ‘fragment’) and buy it. You’ll get:

– a limited edition signed and numbered print, a “graphic interpretation” of your purchased plot,

– two symbolic keys that allow you to the pre-opening presentation,

– your name on all the 30 access points,

– the plot itself, (1m x 1,20m) delivered to your door sometime after 24th May, and – wait for it –

– your “country notebook”, a “poetic and practical description” of your chosen “essence’.

And the price? 700 € !!!

The green warriors out there with slightly tighter wallets can opt for an “éclat” with just a print, keys for the pre-show and a tiny bit 60cm by 20cm creation that you’ll have to pick up yourself after 26th May. This will cost you 145 € !!! At that price, a square metre would be worth 1,200 €/m².

Anyway, it’ll be an extraordinary event. There’s only something like this every decade or so, so expect a large crowd but don’t miss it!

For more details (all in French I’m afraid, and a bit tough to navigate round): www.naturecapitale.com.

Nature Capitale is on the Champs Elysées on 23rd and 24th May 2010 and it’s free!