Christmas lights - 21st-century style

The Christmas lights along Paris's Champs-Elysées were switched on a few days ago - but another famous shopping boulevard is hoping it can steal a 21st-century festive march on its rival, by introducing interactive illuminations.

For the first time in 20 years, Boulevard Haussmann will be decked out in illuminated Christmas finery - and visitors will be able to control the lights via their smartphones.

Every evening between December 1 and January 7, from 5.30pm to 12midnight, anyone on the famous boulevard in the 8th and 9th arrondissements will be able to 'play' with the colours, effects and timings of the illuminations to create their own 'unique' scenarios in three 'zones' along the street.

A spokesman for Haussmann Paris - the association which brings together 11 major stores that operate on the street - told 20minutes.fr that "We want the Parisians, the French and all the visitors to reclaim the neighbourhood.

"This is the meaning of #PlayHaussmann - we are changing the rules of street lighting to give power to those who usually watch them."

To change the lights, visitors have to download a free #PlayHaussmann app.