As Christmas approaches, the famous illuminations of the Champs-Elysées are coming back to this grand avenue. From November 21, 2012 until January 10, 2013, guests staying at the Hôtel Louvre Marsollier can witness the spectacular lights for themselves.
Moreover, for the lighting ceremony, the talented actress Diane Kruger will be present to participate. The mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, will also be there.
The lighting of the Champs-Elysées is known as the event that transforms the famous street into a glittering wonderland and unofficially kicks off the holiday season. The magic moment will happen on the 21st of November at 6:30 p.m., for those who are lucky enough to be in the city at that moment. Even for those who are coming to Paris a little later on, the lights will stay up until almost mid-January, enabling many people to enjoy them.
In order to have a greener holiday season, the city of Paris has changed the type of lights used on the Champs-Elysées several times. In 2007, the city switched to energy-efficient LED lights to reduce the energy consumption of the spectacle.
Then, in 2011, the lights were changed again in order to increase energy efficiency even more. The latest version of the lights, given the name “The Tree Rings” will be installed in about 200 trees that line the Champs-Elysées, going from the Place de la Concorde until the Arc de Triomphe. This setup was designed by a Belgian studio called Act Light Design, and it is the most energy efficient installation yet. This means that Christmas in Paris has the potential of being both white and “green.”
With the Christmas Market that has also been organized on the avenue, there has never been a better time to see the sights of the Champs-Elysées.
