This Sunday, Paris and the Champs-Elysées celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Wood Snake. On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, which, as you'd expect, is based on the lunar calendar, the Champs-Elysées marked the occasion once again this year. The event took place this Sunday afternoon from Fouquet's Paris.
Invited by the Chinese Tourist Office in Paris, Fouquet's Paris and Groupe Barrière, theMugua association offered us a Hanfu parade on the Champs-Élysées. Everyone was invited to dress in traditional Chinese clothing to follow the procession.
After departing from 99 avenue des Champs-Élysées, the parade continued on to 104 avenue.
The parade featured two major events:
In all, more than 300 dancers and actors brought the colorful show to life. This celebration on the Champs-Élysées is part of a series of events marking Chinese New Year in Paris. It will be followed, on Sunday February 9, by the traditional grand parade in the 13ᵉ arrondissement, offering two consecutive weekends of exceptional festivities.
Chinese New Year parades, which celebrate the Spring Festival, are a vibrant and colorful celebration marking the start of the New Year according to the Chinese lunar calendar, as well as Vietnamese, Korean and many others. These festivities, which can last up to two weeks, are the expression of centuries-old cultural traditions and have profound significance for Chinese communities around the world.
The heart of these celebrations is embodied by the parades, dazzling spectacles of color, sound and movement. The streets come alive with dancing dragons and lions, symbols of strength, courage and good fortune, who weave their way through the crowds to the sound of cymbals, drums and firecrackers, believed to ward off evil spirits and attract good luck for the coming year.
Beyond the spectacle, these parades carry a profound meaning. They are an opportunity for families and communities to come together, renew social ties and share wishes for prosperity, health and happiness. Chinese New Year is a time for reflection, renewal and hope, symbolizing the transition from the old to the new and the aspiration to a better future.
Finally, Chinese New Year parades transcend cultural boundaries, inviting people of all origins to join in the celebration. They offer a window onto the diversity and richness of Chinese culture, while promoting harmony and understanding between peoples. Through these festivities, the universal message of peace, happiness and renewal is beautifully expressed, strengthening the bonds of understanding and friendship throughout the world.
The transition to the New Year, under the sign of the Wooden Serpent according to Chinese astrology, will be marked by symbols of strength and good fortune, such as lions and dragons, accompanied by cymbals and drums designed to ward off evil spirits and attract good luck. It's an opportunity for French and international audiences to discover the unique charm of this traditional festival.
The Chinese New Year parade on the Champs-Élysées may not be the most imposing, but it's still a wonderful celebration on Paris's most emblematic avenue. For other Lunar New Year parades, be sure to consult our guide.
Location
Hotel Barrière Le Fouquet's Paris
46 Avenue George V
75008 Paris 8
Prices
Free