The enchantment of the Christmas illuminations in Paris

Tourists and Parisians alike are waiting in breathless anticipation for the enchanted spectacle that is the Christmas illuminations of the aptly named City of Light. Each year the beauty and scope of the Paris festive lights grows more impressive as the capital seeks to outdo the achievements of previous years. As is the custom at this time of year the facades of the big department stores are garlanded with superb decorations and their display windows offer glimpses into a Yuletide universe. At the Hotel Les Théâtres you will be at the heart of the festive fun.

Welcome to Paris; The City of Christmas Light

From November onwards Paris becomes an enchanted Christmas wonderland of lovely decorations and heart-lifting illuminations. The Champs-Élysées is an essential destination at any time of the year but at Christmas it is particularly picturesque. The 200 trees that line this world famous avenue are bedecked with lights directing the eye along its length to the magnificent sight of the Big Wheel on the Place de la Concorde. The Place Vendôme, the Avenue Montaigne and many other iconic locations become twinkling grottos where the Christmas spirit becomes almost tangible.

The large department stores are particularly amazing places to visit at this time of the year. Galeries Lafayette and Printemps vie with one another every year to produce the most spectacular displays and the true winner of this competition is, of course, the visitor. Leading artists and designers create animated characters and scenes that are always a marvel of imagination evoking all aspects of the season. It’s a magical experience for all the family.

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• Champs Elysées illuminations : November 20 - January 8, 2015
Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Paris 8e
Metro : Charles de Gaulle Etoile, lignes 1,2,6 - Georges V, ligne 1 - Franklin D. Roosevelt, lignes 1 et 9 - Concorde, lignes 1,8,12
• Galeries Lafayette : 40 boulevard Haussmann, Paris 8e
Metro : Chaussée d'Antin Lafayette, lines 7 and 9
• Printemps : 64 boulevard Haussmann, Paris 9e
Métro Havre Caumartin, lines 3 and 9

~oOo~

Picture Christmas 2011 copyright holder: Tourist Office Paris - Photographer Jacques Lebar

Hotel Les Théâtres, an elegant 4* hotel in the heart of Paris