The trees of the most beautiful avenue in the world have donned their red cloak. The start of the illuminations was given Sunday, November 24 at 18:10 on the Champs-Elysees. One month exactly before Christmas Eve.
It is the actress Ludivine Sagnier, godmother of the event, who triggered the illuminations, alongside the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo.
Cries, applause ... According to our special correspondent, Salomé Saqué, present on the spot, thousands of people had gathered on the most beautiful avenue of the world to attend the event, and let burst their joy.
Recycled decorations
"It's an event that takes place every year, and yet there's still so many people," a couple in the audience reacts, while a man concedes "without that,
"Without that, Paris would not be in the spirit of Christmas," admits a girl, regretting, however, that the lights are red, as the year before.
Red, again, to respond to the theme of flamboyance, the Christmas decorations of the Champs Elysees are also decorations "recycled, for reasons of ecology" says Salome Saqué.
In total, 2.2 kilometers of avenue will remain illuminated until January 8 next. The more than 500 trees decorated for a cost of one million euros (80% funded by the organizing committee, and 20% by the Paris mayor), will be illuminated every night until 2 am morning, except for gala nights. Indeed, on December 24 and 31, the Champs Elysees will sparkle all night long.