More than two kilometres of the tree-lined street linking the Arc de Triomphe to Concorde have been illuminated using a combination of GE's Constant Color CMH lamps as well as LED technology. More than 400 trees, including both rows of trees lining the avenue, have been lit up to sparkle like a "glittering forest". A second line of 120 trees in the inside row are decorated with 30,000 dynamic flashing lights to represent the "light from falling stars".
"GE Lighting is very proud to have been chosen once again to illuminate one of the most prestigious avenues in the world. Using the most energy efficient CMH and LED technologies, we have created a magical festive lighting display to be enjoyed by the many visitors to the city over the Christmas period," declared Sophie Breton commercial director of GE Lighting business in France.
Supplying ceramic metallic hallide lamps, which allow a 70 % energy saving, together with efficient LED technology enables GE Lighting to provide energy efficient illumination of the Champs-Elysées in line with the company's principles of ecomagination.
The festive lights were switched on by Charlotte Gainsbourg at a ceremony on 23 November attended by the Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë. During the Illuminations, the number of pedestrians visiting the famous avenue is expected to rise from an average of 300,000 to 500,000 every day reaching over a million on 31 December. Celebrities including Vanessa Paradis, Marion Cotillard, Johnny Halliday, Liza Minelli and Monica Belluci attended the illumination ceremony.
(Jim Evans)
