The start of the Champs-Élysées illuminations was given this Sunday, November 24 around 8 p.m. by Tony Estanguet. The 400 trees of the most famous Parisian avenue will sparkle until the beginning of 2025.
The Christmas season officially begins. The Avenue des Champs-Élysées was adorned with its garb of light this Saturday, November 24 following the traditional inauguration ceremony of the Christmas lights, which took place in the presence of the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and Tony Estanguet, the godfather of publishing.
The 400 trees on the avenue shone brightly, after a countdown launched shortly before 8 p.m., in front of thousands of spectators who came especially for the occasion.
Like last year, the LEDs present in the trees of the Champs-Élysées are “golden and sparkling”, champagne color and reminiscent of the color of the Eiffel Tower at night. The “largest fir tree in Paris” also sits this year on the avenue, reaching a height of 13.5 meters.
“The illuminations of the avenue will begin in the early evening around 5 p.m. and will turn off at midnight, with the exception of December 24 and 31 when they will sparkle all night,” explains the Paris municipality.
The Olympics until Christmas
After Gilles Lellouche last year, actor Tahar Rahim in 2022 or singer Clara Luciani in 2021, it is Tony Estanguet who this year pressed the button launching the Christmas festivities on the most beautiful avenue in the world.
The opportunity for the former boss of the Paris 2024 Olympics to conclude a year already largely marked by his mark in the capital. The iconic main theme of the Games, Parade by Victor Le Masne, resonated on the avenue when the lights were switched on.
The illuminations, in fact, took place in parallel with a performance by the artist Santa, “revelation of the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games”, writes the Paris town hall. The Christmas lights will be activated until the beginning of January 2025.
