From today: Paris shops go dark after work hours

On 1 December, they will also be followed by digital advertising boards as part of the government’s “energy sobriety” plan

Amid fears, that this winter will feel colder due to higher energy prices, now Europeans will also have to get used to the idea that it will also be darker. Paris, known as the City of Lights since the 17^th century, is now leading the way in turning the switch off to save energy. As of today, shops in the French capital will have to turn off interior and window lights after business hours.

That’s part of the authorities pushing for the so-called “energy sobriety”. Part of it is the narrative that French people in large cities have become perhaps a little too addicted to lights and brightness, even late at night. And that directly feeds into energy dependence and increased consumption of energy, including fossil fuels supplied by Russia.

Paris Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire even famously quipped: “We must stop believing that people are only attracted by light. People are not mosquitoes”.

City of Lights gets dimmer

Paris has already responded to the national government’s call by cutting the power to its renowned shops on the Avenue de Montaigne hours early, a practice that is being followed by government-owned buildings and some of the city's most famous attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. 

But as of today, this measure becomes compulsory for all shops and businesses not working at night. This is what the City Council asked of the capital's economic players during a major conference on 19 October, during which the administration presented its major objectives in terms of economic sobriety.

Illuminated billboards under the responsibility of the City will also be turned off as of 1 December, between 11:45 p.m. and 6 a.m. Their energy expenditure now appears superfluous, in a context of tension and rising energy prices. This measure is part of the City's sobriety plan and contributes to the fight against light pollution.

In short, Paris is set to become a lot less flashy during the colder months, and this might be something that people will have to get used to. It remains to be seen how it will impact tourism numbers.