30.11.15

Lights and crowds


Another year and, once more, I guess I just have to – of course with pleasure - show the Christmas illuminations of the Champs-Elysées. The official inauguration had to be cancelled for security reasons, but now the lights are there… and what also is important, the crowds!

So here are some photos looking down…

… and up the avenue.

The Ferris wheel is not the only one showing the blue, white and red colours. Here are some examples: The US Embassy, the Grand Palais, “Fouquet’s”, the “Publicis”…

Other buildings are also colourful.

The lower part of the Champs-Elysées is again occupied by an ever increasing Christmas Market.


What I believe is new for this year is to find Father Christmas flying in the air, talking with the crowd, especially the children, down on the ground.













A little Swedish touch: In connection with the “COP21” (Conference of Parties), the Climate Change Conference, which is just starting, IKEA is (in cooperation with the Nicolas Hulot Foundation and the City of Paris) preparing some ecological features – a wind turbine, solar panels… and also a large number of installations where people can pedal, run and swing, all with the intention of generating 100% renewable energy to light up the Champs-Elysées. 

Yesterday, I checked if the installations were in use. With 147 heads of states expected for the conference, I had a feeling that there were more police forces than “energy producers” around. The crowds I mentioned above, seen Friday evening, will probably be seriously reduced the coming days. 





















5 comments:

Christine said...

Beautiful Photos again Peter, you never disappoint!
We will be in La Defense area this weekend and wondered if the market is there.
Have fun
Christine

Anonymous said...

I always look forward to your photos of Paris at this time of the year. They look so beautiful and hopeful.
Whatever it takes to cheer up those brave citizens!
Would love to be there right night pedaling for such a happy (brilliant?) cause.
Thank you so much, M. Peter for sharing this with us.
Maria

Jeanie said...

So very beautiful, Peter. You know I love all you share but at the holidays I leap for joy to see your photos!

Thérèse said...

Un Noël qui sera essentiellement bleu, blanc, rouge cette année!

claude said...

Les Champs à Noël sont magnifiques !