Part II: Les Illuminations de Noël a Paris 2014 (Christmas Illuminations in Paris)

There are more places to go for a walk to see and enjoy the holiday ambiance in the City of Lights, Paris.

Rue Faubourg de St. Honoré used to be the shopping mecca for name brand boutiques until Avenue Montaigne became the chi-chi place to shop for luxury goods. Saint Honoré, as it is popularly called is now a street lined with fashion boutiques - with up-and-coming designers, as well as, the long-established iconic French couturiers, specialty stores, art galleries, salon de thé, and cafés, bistros, and restaurants. 

There are other shops on the side streets that are worth visiting as well, like the Pierre Hermés patisserie on rue Rambeau, and other specialty shops on rue Royale.

This fashionable street is narrow, not like the wide Avenue les Champs Elysées nor Avenue Montaigne. It is still a favorite among tourists for shopping, or simply to window-shop.

On this same street is le Palais de l'Élysées (palace) - the official residence of the president of France; and the residences of the ambassadors to France of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom.

During the holiday season, this street is second to the Champs Élysées in its lighting designs. Almost store after store, the facades and the street are decorated and brightly lit with mini bulbs - with some that twinkle, or running lights that create movement, in curtain, swag and random designs.

Here is what has been put up this season on the Saint Honoré and the side streets.

 On rue Saint Honoré, heading to Place de Madeleine

 Place Vendome, on rue de la Paix - an elegant courtyard 

of high-end jewelry stores, 

and where the Ritz Hotel is located. 

 At the intersection of rue Saint Honoré and rue Royale

 Heading to a side street to go to La Village Royale

Entrance to Le Village Royale,  on Cité Berryer

 Courtyard of La Village Royale, exit/entrance on rue Royale -

with additional fashion and home stores, and restaurants.

This is the view from the steps of Eglise de Madeleine - on rue Royale,  through Place de la Concorde, with the Assemblé Nationale on the opposite side.

More hotels, restaurants and some luxury-good stores have joined in decorating for the holidays.

On Avenue George V

 George V Four Seasons Hotel

 Prince de Galles Hotel

 Bvlgari (Luxury Jewelry store)

 Arije - Haute Joaillerie - Haute Horlogerie 

(high-end jewelry and watches)

Restaurants at the intersection of 

rue Clement Marot and rue Marbeuf

 Zen Garden

Back on the Avenue Champs des Élysées

 Publicis Building - a light show on the facade, 

with ever-changing colors and patterns.

 Fouquet Hotel and Restaurant

 Changing light colors from white, gradually, to red

 Ladurée - fabricant de douce (sweets shop)

 Tiffany 

 This is the most bling-bling of them all!

Champs Élysées rond point (round about), 

where the Christmas market begins

The beauty of these holiday lights all point to the forthcoming celebration of Christmas, as we await the Light of the World -

     “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” NIV John 8:12

Enjoy the walk around Paris. It is so magical at this time of the year!

Les Illuminations de Noël a Paris 2014 (Christmas Illuminations in Paris)

On November 20, 2014, at approximately 6:00 p.m. the trees lining the sides of the Avenue Champs Élysées were the main event for the crowd that had gathered. 

In partnership with two companies - Sony and Sotec, the Mairie de Paris (city hall) had advertised the Nouvelle Illuminations (new lighting) for the 2014 holiday season, on banners hanging between the trees along the wide, main avenue of Paris.

 The Champs Élysées without Christmas lights

 Camera, lights, click! 

In expectant anticipation, the yellow and blue Christmas lights were turned on in grand scale at about 6:20 p.m. The crowd was truly delighted!

The small blue lights situated on the upper part of the trees look like stars glowing in the night.

 On both of the broad sidewalks on the avenue , the second row of trees had their own light theme, with random spray bouquets  of blue lights, with white running lights on some of the stems, looking like snowflakes.

The much awaited nouvelle illumination - the new holiday lighting, on the main avenue  is a sight to behold, adding another festive touch to the preparations which started in late October.  A week after the Christmas Market opened, the whole stretch of the Champs Elysées is now lit up.

These twinkling lights - whether on the main avenues, small streets, or store fronts - are all part of the preparation for the big celebration. Living up to its name "City of Lights, here is how the French bring Christmas glow into Paris.

Among some of the storefronts on the Champs Élysées...

 

Pizza Pino - right next to the metro Line 1 exit - 

Franklin Roosevelt stop

This is a favorite food-stop among the tourists.

 Roma Pizzeria - on the other corner, across from Pizza Pino

 Häagen-Dazs' Chalets

 Weeping willow Christmas trees (fake) at the entrance of 

Ann Tuil - a shoe store

 Kusmi Tea - gourmet tea in high quality blends

 Mercedes Benz showroom, with a 

multi-colored running logo lights

Une chocolaterie

 La bounlangerie/patisserie

 A shopping arcade entrance - Arcades des Champs Élysées

 The store with a diverse selection of beauty products

 An enclosed, outdoor café by the Marriott Hotel

 City street lights...

 Avenue Montaigne - a famous street known for all the 

chi-chi, designer boutiques.

 Yellow lights with running white lights, in a spray bouquet arrangement is the basic design used hanging on the trees and the Christmas trees, a change from the red lights that had been used on this street in the past years.


The Dior boutique on Avenue Montaigne 
leads the way in holiday decorating.

The newly renovated Plaza Athenée Hotel

Paul and Joe - a collection of casual to chic fashion

Rue Cler - a permanent street market 
On some weekends, each season, a grande brocante ( a traveling giant flea market ) takes place on a part of this long street.

 Rue de Champs des Mars - intersecting rue Cler

For a fun, magical night, there is more to see in a sightseeing tour - "Illuminations of Paris" that is handled by Paris Cityvision. Enjoy this city tour at this time of the year. This will include the iconic landmarks, decorated and lit up during this holiday season. To book your reservations, please click on this link. Enjoy a lovely dinner or a show, after,  and cap the night with a glass of wine before you head back.

And soon it will be Christmas!  Celebrating it in the French capital is more than a memorable experience.