PARIS SHINES WITH 1000 LIGHTS FOR THE END OF THE YEAR HOLIDAYS

As every year for the end of year celebrations, the French capital shines with 1000 lights to celebrate the event. Large arteries and department stores are witnesses to this.

From the end of November, the « City of Light » will be adorned with Christmas colors like the Champs Elysées, avenue Montaigne, rue du Faubourg St Honoré as well as other districts including Place Vendôme, Bercy Village, the square of the Hôtel de Ville or the Place de la Bastille and the Forum des Halles ….

The Champs Elysées and their district

On November 21, Clara Luciani inaugurated the Christmas lights on the most beautiful avenue in the world, from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde. As in previous years, she wore her red dress which illustrated the « Flamboyance » theme, chosen for 3 years and produced by the Blachère company.
Remember that the Champs Elysées Committee has been organizing this event since 1980. This year, it found the public after the virtual 2020 edition, linked to the pandemic. She still kept the possibility for everyone to light a bulb from home, via an online platform.
In the surrounding area, Avenue Montaigne, Fg St Honoré, Place Vendôme, have not departed from tradition, for some from November 18th.

The other main Parisian districts

Always since the end of November, St Germain-des-Prés, the Forum des Halles and Bercy Village. At the beginning of December, it was the turn of the Place de la Bastille, the square of the Hôtel de Ville and the Viaduc des Arts (75012).

Bercy Village

Bercy Village has rediscovered the atmosphere of Mary Poppins for the end of year celebrations. For the 2021 edition, the Portuguese artist Patricia Cunha had new carte blanche, just as in summer 2019. Thus, 1200 white umbrellas dotted with white lights strew the sky of the Cour St Emilion over 200 meters long, from the start. night fallen. This walk ends with a large tree.

Forum des Halles

The Forum des Halles inaugurated its illuminations under the Canopy on November 20, Porte Berger, in the presence of Bilal Hassani. The singer lit the 22-meter tree after the traditional countdown. He then participated in a signing session for his album released last November, « Contre-soir » and the new comic, « Jjong-Tome 1-Sauver Willo », released in October.

« Paris scintille », place de la Bastille and on the forecourt of the Hôtel de Ville

The magic of Christmas is once again invited to the forecourt of the Hôtel de Ville with the « Paris scintille » operation. The square hosts a forest of firs and white birches around a village of chalets where visitors can taste mulled wine, waffles, mountain specialties and other delicacies.
A shower of snowflakes strews the facade of the Town Hall while Santa Claus waits for the children in a chalet to immortalize the moment with a souvenir photo, not to mention the carousel. You can also discover wood carvings, made by the loggers of the city of Paris.
Activities are offered to visitors, such as sledding or the climbing wall. All to the sound of festive music.

Place de la Bastille is the second place to host « Paris Scintille ». Just like on the forecourt of the Town Hall, we discover an enchanted forest of fir trees around the village which offers various tastings, a carousel and the meeting of Santa Claus (Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays then every day during school holidays , from 11 am to 9 pm) Just like last year, the « July Column » is adorned with blue and a shower of snowflakes thanks to video mapping.

Department stores have put on their festive clothes

Every year, department stores light up their windows for Christmas. Each of them chooses a different theme. This year, the Samaritaine is making a comeback after several years of closure.

Le Bon Marché Left Bank

This year’s theme was related to the store’s founder, Aristide Boucicaut. As of October 29, hundreds of gingerbread men, like Aristides, were present everywhere in the store, inside and outside. In the street, giant mascots invade the sidewalks. In the outdoor windows, we witness the animation of the men and their sugar cane on musical themes: Cheerleaders, burlesque cabaret, hip hop and music. Real plays with opening and closing of the curtain. Inside the store, candy canes and a snowy chocolate-style staircase.

The Samaritan

We have been waiting for the return of the Samaritaine Christmas windows for 15 years. For this, the store has chosen the theme of « The art of the French garden ». Cuts strolling in the snow-covered gardens adorn the windows. Inside, a giant 10-meter tree sits at the center of a giant advent calendar that unveils daily surprises for the whole family. Among the latter, we find a 3D studio to transform into a snowy statue, a fashionable Santa Claus and a troupe of funny Christmas tree ladies, « a choir of Christmas carols. The icing on the cake, so to speak, the pastry chef from Dalloyau, French dessert champion, Jérémy Del Val, has created an exclusive Christmas dessert.

The Galeries Lafayette

For Christmas 2021, the Galeries Lafayette have chosen as their theme: « 1,2,3 … Christmas! ». To their delight, onlookers can escape in front of the windows that tell the crazy adventure of toys in the heart of a cosmic Santa Claus village, in the heart of the Northern Lights. There are dolls, stuffed animals, connected or recycled toys. Toys evolve in different environments such as the recycling workshop, Santa’s sleigh or the New Year’s Eve.
Inside, the everlasting giant Christmas tree, decorated each year on a different theme, sits under the dome. This year, it’s stocked with giant toys that an astronaut Santa Claus will hand out. Every 30 minutes, the lights go out and the toys come alive as Santa Claus twirls under the dome. Spectators can admire this sound and light from the catwalk located in front of the animation inside the store.

Printemps Haussmann

It is a fairy tale that inhabits the windows of Printemps Haussmann, the other department store in the district. The chosen theme is « The incredible Elves factory ». We discover 125 elves of Santa Claus, with the heads of humans, reindeer, mice or owls, animate the windows. in search of finding, after the blackout, a new workshop to save Christmas. Among the 11 display cases decorated by Aurélia Fronty, 4 paintings stand out: « The arrival at » Printemps « , » L’Atelier Postal « , » L’Atelier des Gourmandises « and » La Parade des Lutins « . des Etoiles « , the Elves concoct Chanel perfume N ° 5 and prepare Prada’s party outfits. Inside the store, more than a hundred trees are on display.

The BHV Marais

To celebrate Christmas, the BHV has put Switzerland in the spotlight by choosing a magical and engaged theme: « Christmas at the Top » and a slogan « Go for Good ». It happens at the top of the mountain, above the clouds. For this celebration, we hope for a committed and eco-responsible tomorrow.
The sending ceremony was marked by a sound and light show, accompanied by beatboxer Arthur Henry and the « Cor des Alpes ».
In terms of gastronomy, the « Chalet des Marmottes » presents various cheeses, drinks and fondues related to the Swiss terroir.

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