24.11.10

Fiat lux

It was again time to illuminate the Champs Elysées. It happened last Monday evening. There was a crowd to watch a French actress (Mélanie Laurent) push the button, accompanied by the Paris mayor (Bertrand Delanoë). In competition with the professional photographers I had no chance to find the right angle. At least there are some flurry pictures to prove that I was there.
Before and after.
Sometimes the result is unexpected.
A few photos from along the Champs, the Rond Point and around…

… and from the Place de la Concorde.
On the lower part of the Champs there is a Christmas market. I will revert on that part.

36 comments:

Olivier said...

c'est toujours un moment magique, merci de nous le faire vivre. j'adore ces eclairages

Mystica said...

As usual beautiful and this time magical!

Rosaria Williams said...

Ah, the city of lights!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

I bet that being there when they first turn on the lights is quite a thrill. Hope you had some champagne to celebrate!

That last photo taken from under the fountain... how did you get there without getting run over, pray tell!

Bises,
Genie

Anonymous said...

Magnifiques photos, bravo!!
Hana de Prague

Dianne said...

magical! pretty city of lights.

Paris Paul said...

The fountain pictures are simply breathtaking. Amazing lighting.

And you got pictures of Mélanie Laurent! My day has officially been made. I don't suppose she asked about me?

Caribbean Destinations said...

Now, Paris is not only the city of love but also the city of lights.

David Macaulay said...

wow - the exuberant feel of Paris shines through these pics. I've been away too long.

Wholesale Childrens Clothing said...

The said event draws a lot of crowd. It is attended by families also.

Colic Remedy said...

The trees and establishment became more alive because of the lights that was attach to them.

Simony said...

Oh Peter, you got some nice pictures here! I am sure the other photographers were jealous of you! ;)
Paris looks so chic with all these lights! Thanks for sharing.

Liveaboard Boats For Sale said...

Another activity you and your kids will enjoy, watching the lights as it glows.

forex day trading said...

Nice pictures you got there specially before the lighting of lights and after the lighting. The street was brighter and beautiful.

Randy said...

That looks like an amazing event. I would have loved to have been there. Wonderful photos.

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Wow! Splendid pictures! Thanks for posting!

Starman said...

Are you aware they have the same lights on Avenue des Ternes in the 17é? They were on when we were there in October.

Polly said...

Peter , thank you for bringing us the first glimpses of the season's lights!

Alain said...

Mélanie Laurent...hum, Carla n'était pas libre ?

hpy said...

C'est toujours aussi beau, aussi féerique.

claude said...

Je me disais aussi que j'allais voir cela sur ton blog. Ah ! la magie des illuminations de Noël !
Les Champs sont beaux avec ses lumières. Paris est déjà beau la nuit en temps normal, mais pour la période de Noël c'est enchanteur.

Cergie said...

Tu t'es surpassé du coup ton blog est super long à charger aujourd'hui ! Ce sont des ampoules économiques en énergie je suppose ; vues dans l'axe de l'avenue elles semblent moins violettes.

Penguin said...

Beautiful! Sometimes I wish I could go to sleep at night and wake up in Paris.

wockley said...

Indeed Paris is always beautiful & like Penguin I wish I could wake up in the morning there especially with all those wonderful lights. God, I love France!
x

BLOGitse said...

You don't have any snow - we do! It's been snowing the whole day today...
We really need extra light this time of year, it's really dark here.
Oh but you know that! :)

Cheap Hotels in paris said...

Thanks for sharing the article. I was really wondering and i get here and get amazed by the article. Hope that we will get more ahead

delphinium said...

Bon, c'est joli, y a pas à redire quoi que ce soit là-dessus. Mais bon... je trouve que c'est un peu trop kitsch. Et puis moi, quand j'appuie sur le bouton dans mon bureau le matin tôt pour voir clair, le maire ne vient pas. C'est nul. Personne ne m'aime. :-))
Jolie la première photo.

Scheherazade said...

I love all the lights. So magical. Thanks.

Trotter said...

Wow! It looks great!! No crisis in the City of Lights... ;)

James said...

Beautiful shots Peter! I especially like the top one.

Virginia said...

Oh my, I think you captured it all for us in all it's splendor! I have never been in Paris to see that magical moment. Merci for showing us Paris at its glitzy best!
V

PS Did you go up on the Grande Roue ? :)

Cezar and Léia said...

Wow Paris this time of the year is magnificent!
Amazing pictures!
Léia :)

JScott said...

Its not even December yet? Sure, its getting close, but still?
The lights are very pretty. My city does a "lighting of the park" thing every year. Cold, but fun :)

nathalie said...

Ah j'adore !
Que c'est beau !

Ma préférée c'est celle qui est toute floue mais je reconnais que j'aurais été un peu frustrée s'il n'y avait eu que celle-là ! :-)

Anonymous said...

Plus quam perfectum. Maria O. Russell

el tronchero said...

mmm, I have to go to Paris now.