“In these difficult times, when people are worried, it is important to have points of reference, to find peace and a sense of celebration. » In a few words spoken to 20 minutes, an hour before the ceremony, Marc-Antoine Jamet, president of the Champs-Élysées Committee, has just summed up the spirit of the evening. The ceremony can begin.
An unmissable event during the month of November in Paris, the illumination of the Champs-Élysées, created in 1980, has become, over time, the unofficial launch of the Christmas holidays and an event in itself. The proof, in 2022, 112,000 people were present to see Tahar Rahim press the switch.
Gilles Lellouche, a “Parisian banter”
His successor may well have done better according to a first “wet finger” survey by the organizers from the ceremony podium. In any case, they worked for it. Pedestrianized all day long, the most beautiful avenue in the world had even more attractions to attract the curious. A batucada (a Brazilian brass band) strolling on the cobblestones, making Sunday strollers dance, and beautiful weather like we haven’t seen for weeks in Paris. “It’s the miracle of Paris, the miracle of the Champs-Élysées,” exclaims Marc-Antoine Jamet as he launches the ceremony.
A few dozen minutes later, as night fell, the air cooled but not the minds of the public who were waiting in large numbers to discover the new lights. And also (above all?), to see the godfather of this 2023 edition, the actor and director Gilles Lellouche. “A character with Parisian banter, and a thousand facets, like the Champs-Élysées,” explains Marc-Antoine Jamet. Capable of performing for the general public, as well as for the most intimate, Gilles Lellouche follows in the tradition of his predecessors, Louane, Clara Luciani and Tahar Rahim.
While the personalities pile up near the stage (Anne Hidalgo, Emmanuel Grégoire, Nicolas Bonnet-Oulaldj, for the Paris City Hall, Jeanne d’Hauteserre, mayor of the 8th arrondissement, Sylvain Maillard, deputy of Paris, Ian Brossat, senator from Paris, etc.), the public longs to see the star: “Who is he? » “Him,” is Mickaël Vinet, president of Coca Cola France, new sponsor of the illuminations and a figure now attached to Christmas (Coca Cola, not its president).
“Add a little light” with 400 illuminated trees
But if there was no shortage of distinguished guests, it was accompanied by other special guests that Gilles Lellouche struck a pose once on stage: Mathis, Chloé and Enzo, three children from the Petit Prince association, which makes the dream come true of sick children and adolescents and which has been supported for many years by the Champs-Élysées Committee.
In line with the theme of the year, the actor of Kompromat spoke about his choice to be the sponsor of the event. “In these dark and obscure times that we live in, adding a little light in our smallest way is a source of great pride,” comments Gilles Lellouche on stage before pressing, accompanied by the children and Anne Hidalgo, on the switch and bring out the light and party favors for the occasion.
Parisians and tourists who venture down the avenue will benefit from light. A total of 400 trees are illuminated in the golden color of the year by four kilometers of LEDs. Created by the company Blachère illuminations, the “Sobrillance” theme for 2023 has the particularity of breaking with the monotony of the lights of Christmas illuminations. How ? By an alternation of light which marks every quarter of an hour and every hour. “It’s a reflection of what we look for every year. Respect tradition while seeking innovation,” explains Marc-Antoine Jamet.
Energy savings with new power technology
The Champs-Élysées Committee would like to reassure people about the consumption of these illuminations. Thanks to its low-consumption LEDs and new power technology, these lights consume 20% less electricity than those of previous years.
A gain in energy which even allows the Champs-Élysées to extend the pleasure until January 7, a week more than usual to fit in with the school holidays. At the same time, we don’t go to the Champs-Élysées to save money.
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