Five, four, three, two, one… And suddenly, the Olympic anthem rings out for the lighting of the trees. The 400 trees lining the Avenue des Champs-Élysées (8th arrondissement) put on their clothes of light in front of tens of thousands of people, gathered this Sunday evening on the legendary pedestrianized artery for the occasion. The 2024 illuminations were kicked off by Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The triple Olympic champion and the mayor (PS) of Paris Anne Hidalgo, accompanied by the mayor (LR) of the 8th Jeanne d'Hauteserre, and Parisian elected officials, pressed the buzzer to launch the illuminations. “Paris offered the most beautiful Games in history and I thank those who contributed to these Games,” declared Tony Estanguet, “very honored to be the godfather of these illuminations” like the singers Louane and Clara Luciani before him. or the actors Tahar Rahim and Gilles Lellouche.
At their side were also two little girls from the Petits Princes association, which makes the dreams of children suffering from serious illnesses come true. Sixteen of them carried the Olympic flame during the summer.
“Nine years ago, we wanted to take on the challenge of the Games with Tony. These games were more than Games, Paris was a celebration,” commented Anne Hidalgo in turn. “You are at home,” she continued, addressing the many tourists present.
An “extraordinary” surprise on December 1st
Staged by the Blachère company, “this show is an opportunity to reconnect with the magic of the Games,” rejoiced Marc-Antoine Jamet, president of the Champs-Élysées committee, an association which brings together the 180 actors of the avenue connecting the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, whether private (Galeries Lafayette, LVMH – also owner of Le Parisien –, Renault, etc.) or public (Grand Palais, Petit Palace…). The latter announced “an extraordinary surprise” on Sunday December 1, revealed this Monday at 8 a.m. Mystery !
Ahead of the launch, DJ Marine Neuilly mixed up the crowd with her turntables before passing the baton to the Band'A Leo, a large Bordeaux fanfare of around a hundred musicians noticed during the Olympic closing ceremony. Around twenty musicians walked up the historic axis to the podium from where they sang “La Peña baiona”, the anthem of Bayonne Rowing and “the Champs-Élysées » by Joe Dassin, two pieces of music that marked the Olympic summer. The latter then gave way to the singer Santa.
The numerous spectators gathered behind the barriers were amazed. “This is the first time I have witnessed these illuminations on the Champs-Élysées. This event gives a taste of Christmas! It’s magical,” says Émeline, 39 years old. Christine, a retiree who lives in Cannes (Alpes-Maritimes), made a special trip to Paris. “It’s an event to see at least once in your life,” smiles this woman. Others attended the show by chance. “I didn’t know it was tonight.” We had come to go shopping. So we stayed. Usually, we see the images every year on TV. I am very happy to have seen it in real life for the first time,” confides Jessica, who lives in Houilles (Yvelines).
Last year, the inauguration ceremony of the illuminations on the Champs-Élysées brought together 430,000 spectators. The organizers hope to beat this record… to end this Olympic year in style.
The illuminations will shine on the 400 trees from 5 p.m. to midnight, and until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, until the end of the Holidays. On the evenings of December 24 and 31, the Champs-Élysées will shine all night long.
