Paris aglow for Christmas

There’s a reason they call it the City of Light, Paris is known for its dazzling nighttime glow, but at Christmas the French capital really shimmers.

The 200 trees lining the Champs Elysee, home to luxury stores like Chanel and Luis Vuitton, get a little more bling with the help of some well-placed LED bulbs which were switched on Monday night.

In total more than 130 streets in Paris are flooded with lights.

The official ceremony to launch the lights last year was postponed following the terror attacks in the capital, but this year the ceremony went ahead with Judo star Teddy Riner doing the honours.

The US State Department has issued advice to US citizens to exercise caution at holiday festivals, events and outdoor markets in Europe due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks.