GE Lights The Champs-Elysees

The Champs-Elysees in Paris is being spectacularly illuminated by GE Lighting for the Christmas and New Year period. The Constant Color CMH (Ceramic Metal Halide) 70W 4200°K lamp from GE's latest CMH Constant Color ™ low consumption energy range, has been chosen as the lamp of choice to light up the world famous avenue.
GE's CMH range is ten times more efficient than traditional incandescent light sources, and the lamps have a new extended life expectancy of up to 15,000 hours. This will result in a significantly reduced energy bill for the Champs-Elysees light show - down from 1980kWh in 2006 to 1000kWh - that's a total energy saving of up to 70 percent. Additionally, GE's Constant Color CMH technology provides a consistent white light, providing exceptional color rendering.
A total of one million lighting points have been used to create a unique lighting scene along the 2.4km from the Arc de Triomphe to Concorde. More than 415 trees, including for the first time the two rows of trees lining the avenue, will light up to create a 'sparkling forest' effect. The display also includes 300 trees adorned with crystals, which throw off streaks of light. Additionally, a second line of 120 trees in the inner row have be decorated with 30,000 dynamic flashbulbs to represent the 'light fallen from the stars.'
Commenting on the inauguration of the lights, Harry Boot, Chief Commercial Officer, C&I EMEA, said: "We are proud GE Lighting has been chosen to light the Champs-Elysees for the fifth year running. This year we have opted to use our new CMH range offers as it offers outstanding light quality, efficiency and is low maintenance.
Continuing, Harry said: "The CMH range means the concerns of maintenance costs and the cost of energy can be addressed, whilst simultaneously providing an environmentally friendly lighting solution".
French celebrity, Vanessa Paradis was invited to switch the lights on for the 2008 lighting display, which has been extended until mid January to accompany the start of the winter sales on the Champs Elysees.

About the Champs Elysees Lighting
Since 1981, the illumination on the Champs Elysees has marked the launch of the Parisian end-of-year festivities and celebrations. Over the past 25 years, the event has become an institution, which is covered by the media throughout the world.
During the Illuminations, the number of pedestrians visiting the famous avenue rises from 300,000 to 500,000 on average every day.
Popular French celebrities including Liza Minelli, Johnny Halliday and Monica Belluci have been amongst those to inaugurate the illuminations.