Press conference - Champs-Élysées Illuminations 2025: Léa Seydoux, Charlotte Cardin, and an unprecedented technological extravaganza to light up Paris

By Mulder, Paris, Brasserie Fouquet's Paris, 12 november 2025

On Tuesday, November 12, 2025, at Brasserie Fouquet's Paris, the Champs-Élysées Committee, led by Marc-Antoine Jamet, presented the 2025 edition of the Champs Elysées Illuminations to the press, an iconic event that has been lighting up the most beautiful avenue in the world for over a century. This year, more than ever, tradition and innovation intertwine to offer Parisians and visitors from around the world a completely redesigned sensory experience, marked by spectacle, modernity, and emotion. The event, sponsored by the City of Paris and Anne Hidalgo, will be launched on Sunday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m. on an avenue that will be exceptionally pedestrianized for the occasion.

In a hushed atmosphere combining elegance and excitement, Marc-Antoine Jamet, president of the Champs-Élysées Committee, spoke with his usual verve: "The Champs-Élysées make Paris shine and celebrate its art of living. We must light the fire, not extinguish it. " A powerful message, illustrating the committee's desire to never be content with repeating the past, but rather to reinvent wonder. Following appearances by Tony Estanguet, Gilles Lellouche, and Tahar Rahim in previous editions, this year actress Léa Seydoux will have the honor of kicking off the Illuminations. Born in Paris and deeply attached to the capital, the actress said emotionally: "Sharing this magical moment with Paris, the city of my heart, the city where I was born, is a great honor. " Known for her international career, which ranges from arthouse cinema to blockbusters—from Abdellatif Kechiche to Wes Anderson, from David Cronenberg to Sam Mendes—Léa Seydoux perfectly embodies the duality of refinement and modernity that symbolizes Illuminations 2025.

For this exceptional edition, the show promises to be on an unprecedented scale. Under the artistic direction of the brilliant Thierry Reboul, already acclaimed for his staging of the opening ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Champs-Élysées will become the theater of a veritable symphony of sight and sound. His “Stereophony” concept now combines sound and light in a synchronized choreography. Accompanied by lighting designer Thomas Dechandon, winner of a Molière award for his creations in Starmania, and composer Victor Le Masne, recently honored with a Grammy Award and the Legion of Honor, Thierry Reboul has created a luminous work in which every minute is transformed into a living tableau. The 430,000 multicolored pixels from Blachère Illumination, a long-standing partner of the committee, will dance across four kilometers of trees connected by a ceiling of luminous braids, immersing spectators in an ocean of moving colors. Every hour on the hour, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., the most beautiful avenue in the world will sparkle in unison with the Eiffel Tower, in an unprecedented luminous dialogue between two icons of the capital.

Technological innovation is here at the service of poetry. Thanks to intelligent fiber and Wi-Fi control, the illuminations can be programmed and customized. Low-energy “RGBWW” LEDs, developed using the expertise of Blachère Illumination, enable substantial energy savings while extending the life of the equipment, thereby reducing the environmental impact. This approach is in line with the City of Paris's desire, led by Anne Hidalgo, to combine beauty, simplicity, and sustainability. As the committee points out, the total energy consumption of the illuminations is equivalent to that of only two French households, a powerful symbol of an event that is both magical and responsible.

On November 16, after the long-awaited countdown, the enchanting voice of Charlotte Cardin will enhance the opening ceremony. The Canadian artist, who has made Paris her home, will perform her new single Tant pis pour elle, the follow-up to her hit Feel Good, in an exclusive concert that will mark the official launch of the festivities. “I can't wait to share my music in this magical setting and celebrate with Parisians and visitors from around the world,” the singer said radiantly to the press. With her pop-soul sensibility and natural elegance, Charlotte Cardin promises to add a touch of grace and emotion to what is already shaping up to be a memorable evening.

But behind the magic of the lights and the beauty of the show lies a message of solidarity and humanity. As every year, the Petits Princes association will be at the heart of the ceremony, enabling two sick children, Sacha (6) and Marine (17), to fulfill their dream: to light up Paris. The story of these two young heroes is deeply moving, reminding us that the magic of Christmas is not only made of light, but also of heart. This social commitment illustrates the philosophy of the Comité Champs-Élysées, for whom beauty is to be shared and passed on.

The Champs-Elysées Illuminations 2025 is also accompanied by an exceptional collaboration with Swarovski, the official partner and sponsor of this edition. To mark its 130th anniversary, the Austrian company will unveil a unique pop-up store on Place Charles-de-Gaulle, celebrating its historic link with Paris and the art of light. A spectacular installation where crystal and magic will combine to pay tribute to the capital. The figures are staggering: 2 million LEDs, 52 kilometers of garlands, 400 illuminated trees, 30 installers working for more than two months, and nearly 300,000 visitors per day during the holidays. One million visitors are expected on the Avenue on New Year's Eve, proof that the event remains, year after year, one of the highlights of Parisian life.

In 2025, more than ever, Paris proves that light is its universal language. Under the leadership of Marc-Antoine Jamet, surrounded by his teams and the combined talents of Thierry Reboul, Thomas Dechandon, Victor Le Masne, Léa Seydoux, and Charlotte Cardin, the Champs-Élysées is reinventing itself without betraying its heritage. “Paris is a moveable feast,” said Ernest Hemingway. Once again this year, the City of Light is providing the most dazzling demonstration of this. At 6:30 p.m. on November 16, when the patroness presses the magic button, the Champs-Élysées will light up, and with it, the hearts of millions of dreamers from around the world.

You can found our photos in our Flickr page

Photos : Fanny Ruffier Lanche / Mulderville
Video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville