The Holiday Mood in Paris

Fouquet's and Louis Vuitton on the Champs-Elysées

The holiday lights in Paris are now up in all of the major streets around Paris. They all have their own unique theme, with the Champs Elysées going for the "European Union Presidency" theme of blue and gold. In this video is the Mayor Delanoë and actress Marion Cotillard inaugurating the lights of the most beautiful avenue in the world (PS Don't worry, the lights are all LED energy efficient):

Marion Cotillard lights up the Champs Elysées !

All of the big department stores and shopping malls in Paris, in addition to the Christmas Markets, are open Sundays in December. Despite the economic crisis, the shops are all packed full as usual. "French people save up for their holiday spending," said my retired French neighbor in the elevator this morning. "We don't rely on credit." That seems to be the case, although it's hard to tell whether the hoards of shoppers are really spending as much as usual. After just coming back from the US, I just thought it was nice to see people in the shops!

Champs Elysées Lights and Arc de Triomphe

Champs Elysées Lights and Ferris Wheel at the Place de la Concorde

Stay tuned for the free skating rinks and merry-go-rounds coming December 20th all over Paris.