The countdown was launched this Sunday evening, a little after 7 p.m.
In front of thousands of Parisians, Ile-de-France residents and tourists, singer Clara Luciani kicked off the illuminations of the iconic avenue, alongside Anne Hidalgo, the mayor (PS) of Paris, and Jean-Marc Jamet , the new president of the Champs-Élysées Committee (8th arrondissement).
In a whirlwind of red and white snowflakes and under sprays of gold springing from the podium, the 400 plane trees that line the mythical artery, pedestrianized for the occasion, were illuminated in red, thus setting the sky ablaze. Arc de Triomphe in place of Concorde.
"This year, we need glitter and light", launched the godmother of the edition.
The red lights set the sky ablaze, from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.
"Despite the arrival of the fifth wave (
of the Covid-19 pandemic
), I want the Champs-Élysées to be placed under the sign of revival and rebirth, and that everyone comes together around this moment of fraternity, while of course respecting barrier gestures, ”confided at the end of the afternoon Marc-Antoine Jamet, general secretary of the LVMH group (owner of Le Parisien - Today in France).
Last year, the traditional meeting took place under the sponsorship of singer Louane but without an audience, Covid obliges.
The ambassador for the new edition was not chosen at random.
"We could not dream of a better godmother than the author of
Respire
, which is a hymn to deconfinement and regained freedom", welcomed the president of the Champs-Élysées committee, praising this "exciting, impressive and moving ”.
"It has been a long time since we had seen so many people on the most beautiful avenue in the world and in the most beautiful city in the world", for her part rejoiced Anne Hidalgo.
Parisians, Ile-de-France residents ... and Spaniards in the audience
The spectators came with family, children, friends or couples, from Paris but also from the suburbs.
Many tourists, especially Spaniards, were also at the rendezvous.
“I took my 7 year old son.
He adores Clara Luciani and this is the first time he is attending a show, ”explained Véronique, a resident of Fontenay-sous-Bois (Val-de-Marne).
The public came in large numbers for the event this Sunday evening.
“We spent so much time locked up at home that I am very happy to share this moment with my children,” confided Fatima, who lives in Vitry-sur-Seine, also in Val-de-Marne.
"This event marks a small return to normal life and it feels good," said Alisson, a 22-year-old woman from Brittany who is continuing her studies in Paris.
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Maxime, his wife and their three children came from Auteuil to attend the kick off of the illuminations.
“We left Belgium last year to come and work in Paris.
We didn't want to miss this moment.
"
The flamboyant staging, imagined by the Blachère company, will make the avenue shine with a thousand lights until January 9, every evening, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and until dawn, on the nights of the 24th. and December 31.
This scenography should make its final comeback in 2022, for the fifth consecutive year, before being entrusted to another designer.
