Shops on Paris’ famous Boulevard des Elysées will turn off their lights several hours earlier than usual each night until further notice to save electricity after the war in Ukraine put severe pressure on Europe’s electricity market, the Associated Press reported.
The plan was announced on Tuesday and calls for lights on the boulevard to be turned off at 10 p.m., rather than at 1 a.m. as previously. The decision will enter into force on October 15. An exception will be made for shops that remain open after 10 p.m., said the commission that monitors order on the boulevard. The new measures will affect dozens of high-end boutiques, but will not affect street lights.
However, the dazzling Christmas lights on the Champs-Élysées will now be switched off at 11.45 pm instead of 2 am.
The decision is in line with Paris Mayor Anna Hidalgo’s energy-saving plans, which include several iconic landmarks in the French capital. Last week, it became known that the lights on the Eiffel Tower will be turned off earlier – at 11:45 p.m., instead of at 1:00 a.m., as was before. Other landmarks in Paris, such as City Hall, turn off their lights at 10:00 p.m. Hidalgo said he fears an increase in energy needs during the winter and hopes the new measures will help avoid shortages.