Lantern show shines brightly in Paris

Cultural immersion

According to the Chinese zodiac, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, so an illuminated dragon is another key element in the show.

Alexandre, a 7-year-old Parisian who visited the festival with his father Kevin, said he was attracted to a set of carp lanterns jumping over a dragon gate.

"I like the lotus at the beginning, but what I love is the triumphal arch with the dragon. It is too beautiful," he said. "Yes, this makes me want to (go to China one day). This makes me really want to (go there)."

Kevin, who stopped by Chengdu in Sichuan province during a trip from Beijing to Hong Kong, said: "I'm a big fan of dragons, so my favorites are all the dragons we can see, or the carp. It's very beautiful here.

"My first trip (to China) already made me want to go back. So, yes (I want to go back there)."