Just one month before Christmas, the city of Bordeaux, led by the ecologist mayor Pierre Hurmic, has put forward its initiatives to limit energy expenditure and the associated bills. Due to the energy crisis, communities are trying to control their budgets without spoiling the holidays. This year, the lighting period for Bordeaux illuminations is reduced to three weeks compared to five in 2021: from December 9 to January 2. And they’ll be off at 1 a.m.
The famous glass fir tree, which had aroused quite mixed reactions when it was first installed in 2021, will take center stage in Place Pey-Berland for the same limited period as the illuminations. This local creation by designer Arnaud Lapierre is “composed of handcrafted glass panels and recycled steel, is an artistic, sustainable and sober vision of the Christmas tree, with a low carbon impact”, wishes to remind the city.
The luminous Odyssey autonomous in electricity
To illuminate the city, 750 LED light sets at 120 sites are being installed at 120 sites. They represent a consumption of approximately 5,500 kWh in total in Bordeaux, i.e., despite the increase in the price of kWh, 1,600 euros of electricity for three weeks, i.e. 400 euros less than in 2021 thanks to the reduction in the duration of lighting. Devices prior to 2020 (date of Pierre Hurmic’s election) consumed 5,000 euros of electricity. These decorations are also made from a recyclable biosourced material, which makes it possible to do without plastic.
Until January 2, the Luminous Odyssey offered by the company 1001lumieres of the Bouglione family is back at Parc Bordelais. This new edition around 30 thematic paintings features animals and their legends. They come to life at nightfall, thanks to 400 giant luminous lanterns made in France from recycled silk. The event will produce all the electricity it needs on site, without using the public grid, thanks to the use of biomass, 14 photovoltaic panels and two generators powered by frying oil.