historical monuments lit for less time

Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, proposes to turn off the 336 projectors of the Eiffel Tower at 11:45 p.m. instead of 1 a.m. in order to save energy. The city of light wants to set an example, like other French cities. In Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône), 141 buildings, currently lit until 1 a.m., will be turned off at 11:30 p.m. in summer and 10:30 p.m. in winter. This is particularly the case with the Palais Longchamp and the opera.

At the end of the day, 30,000 euros per year in savings, out of a total bill of 11 million euros. “We can assume that it is symbolic, but in the conditions we are going through today, the symbolic is important”, believes Didier El Rharbaye, municipal councilor (Printemps Marseillais) of Marseille and delegate for nightlife. The inhabitants tend to agree to play the game of energy savings. Abroad, other cities are getting in tune. In Berlin, the Victory Column or the Cathedral today are dark at night.