In the song "Aux Champs-Élysées" the first line is "Je m'baladais sur l'avenue".
Is this a specific exception where you can use "sur" instead of "dans"?
In the song "Aux Champs-Élysées" the first line is "Je m'baladais sur l'avenue".
Is this a specific exception where you can use "sur" instead of "dans"?
In fact, it all depends on the type of road. If it's an enclosed space like a street, you have to use dans. If it's wide open, like a boulevard or square, you should use sur. In the case of an avenue you can use either.
According to Grevisse (Le Bon Usage):
Le français régulier distingue, d’une part, dans la rue (les maisons qui la bordent formant un volume) et sur le chemin, sur la route, sur l’avenue (ou dans l’avenue), sur la place, sur le boulevard, ainsi que sur le quai.
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level