The world-renowned Champs-Elysées avenue in Paris is undergoing a remarkable transformation in preparation for the upcoming festive season and the highly anticipated Olympic Games scheduled for next summer in the city.
Paris’s iconic 2.6-kilometer-long Champs-Elysées avenue is set to take on a new look as it prepares to host various Olympic events, including the beach volleyball stadium and the Paralympic Games’ opening ceremony in August 2024.
Christmas Illuminations with a New Look
The official ceremony to illuminate the avenue for Christmas and New Year will take place on November 19th, starting at 6 pm CET. This year, actor Gilles Lellouche, known for his impressive credits in the film industry, will have the honor of lighting up the Champs-Elysées.
The avenue’s trees will shine brilliantly from November 19th to January 7, 2024, every evening from 5 pm CET to midnight. The illuminations have been redesigned with a more energy-efficient approach. Notably, these illuminations are celebrated for their minimal energy consumption, estimated at about 13,300 kWh in 2023.
Fresh Slogan and Visual Identity
This winter, the Champs-Elysées unveils a new slogan for its festive lighting event: «Illuminons l’avenue, faisons briller Paris» (Let’s light up the avenue, make Paris shine). Additionally, the avenue introduces four promotional posters featuring romantic images of kissing couples, making the event more appealing and popular.
The Champs-Elysées Committee’s «Key to the Champs» plan aims to enhance accessibility and appeal for Parisians. The avenue also presents a new visual identity with modern graphics in classic blue, white, and red colors, accompanied by a dynamic logo that adapts to different promotional themes.
Redesigned Terraces
To create a more cohesive and attractive environment, the avenue’s terraces are being revamped. Renowned Belgian designer Ramy Fischer is leading this effort. The redesigned terraces will provide a uniform and aligned look, improving accessibility and aesthetics. The goal is to make the Champs-Elysées more inviting, catering to people of all abilities.
Despite past perceptions of pollution and stress, the Champs-Elysées is evolving into an enchanting and thriving destination, welcoming around 150,000 daily visitors and over 250,000 on Sundays. The avenue continues to attract a diverse range of businesses, from cultural spaces and restaurants to international retailers and luxury brands like Louis Vuitton.
With ongoing investments and a comprehensive transformation project, the Champs-Elysées is set to become more enchanting and inviting for locals and tourists alike.