Swarovski lights up the Champs Elysees in Paris, Dior lights up Avenue Montaigne

Swarovski set the Champs-Elysees on fire on Sunday as part of a recent series of illuminations on Paris' shopping streets that included Dior illuminating its flagship on nearby Avenue Montaigne.

In collaboration with the city of Paris and the Champs-Elysées Committee, the Illuminations opened on Sunday evening, November 16, and will last six weeks, until Sunday, January 4. French actress Léa Seydoux took on the role of godmother of the Illuminations, while French-Canadian singer and songwriter Charlotte Cardin, sparkling in Swarovski crystals, performed under the starry night of Paris. Swarovski will exclusively sponsor the lighting installations throughout the holiday season.

On Friday, French actress Camille Cottin joined Dior CEO Delphine Arnault to turn on new lighting for the brand's historic flagship at 30 Avenue Montaigne.

To add to the Christmas atmosphere, the house premiered a new film titled Dior's Enchanted World, which featured many looks from the latest cruise collection that Maria Grazia Chiuri designed for the brand, presented in Rome. The looks included gold, white and ecru dresses, presented inside the historic Villa Albani Torlonia in the Eternal City.

Customers interested in getting their hands on the first creations of his successor Jonathan Anderson will have to wait until January 2 of next year.

At the same time, Dior also celebrated its end-of-year parties and gourmet founder Monsieur Dior's passion for the culinary arts. The brand launched its first Yule log, created by Le Jardin, the upscale restaurant run by master chef Yannick Alléno and located within the boutique. The trunk features pleated petals in a velvety white, subtly reminiscent of a 'Francis Poulenc' couture dress, designed by Christian Dior in 1950.

Dior called the trunk “a sculptural creation of infinite poetry, showcasing the House's exceptional know-how and heritage.” It combines grand cru dark chocolate cream with hazelnut crunch, tangerine jam, gingerbread flavored mousse and a light cocoa cookie and is available from December 15, exclusively (and by reservation from December 1) at Le Jardin at 30 Montaigne.

Swarovski has long been linked to the City of Light. Founder Daniel Swarovski showcased his visionary expertise at the Paris World's Fair in 1900, supplying many of the Parisian fashion houses, including Dior.

Swarovski has also linked up with the city of Paris through its support of ANDAM, France's largest independent fashion awards, while Swarovski Crystals add sparkle to the looks of top designers at Paris Fashion Week each season.

At the fountains at Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées, chains of Swarovski crystals spin to create a delicate choreography, while just outside Paris, at the Palace of Versailles, the house's experts restored its opulent baroque chandeliers and installed LED candles to intensify their glow.

In honor of Swarovski's 130th anniversary and coinciding with the Champs-Elysées illuminations, a temporary store will open at 1 Place Charles de Gaulle, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in a world of wonders. Located near the legendary Arc de Triomphe, the space showcases Swarovski's jewelry and home décor collections, including Giovanna Engelbert's Vienna Collection.

On a busy weekend, local merchants also turned on illuminations at the corner of rue Royale, the Faubourg Saint Honoré, historically the most elegant shopping district in Paris.

Earlier Wednesday, singer Clara Luciani led a chorus of singers and musicians singing John Lennon's Happy Christmas as the city's largest department store, Galeries Lafayette, unveiled its famous Christmas displays, while inside the store a giant “Christmas tree” was displayed in the main atrium, decorated with huge red ribbons to much applause.

No wonder they still call Paris the City of Light.