From the pages of No Worries Paris: a photographic walking guide:

“Beginning as a medieval dirt road from Paris to the village of Roule, Rue du Faubourg-St. Honore became fashionable early, under reign of Louis IV. Today it is the prime address for high-end fashion designers. You’ll find elegant hotels, embassies, state residences, and a who’s who in the world of fashion lining both sides of the street. Look for Versace, Saint Laurent, Guy Laroche, Cardin, Dior, Cartier, Hermes, Chanel, Prada, Lancôme, Ungaro, Valentino, Ferregamo, Givenchy, and newcomers who are making it big.

Walk up Rue du Faubourg-St. HHonore, pick a turn-around, and double back to Rue Royale.

Along Faubourg-St. Honore, look for House of Lanvin at #22, which was set up by Jeanne Lanvin in 1890, an early benchmark in haute couture elegance. Hermes is at #24, worth a look to see the saddles that were an early trademark. At #29 is a former residence of Coco Chanel in 1925, where she kept an extra room for buddy Pablo Picasso.

The British Embassy is located at #35, the birthplace of author Somerset Maugham, giving him an early start on a globetrotting career. The armed police you may see outside #55 are guarding the French President, who sometimes resides at the huge grounds of the Palais de l’Elysee. Farther down at #118 is where Pierre Cardin worked for Christian Dior in the 1950s, before launching an empire of stores in 100 countries—a move that became the trend among haute couture houses.”