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" Landmarks boasting brilliant architecture can be made even more awe-inspiring once dressed up with holiday lights. Check out ones from around that globe that we think made the best transformations\u2014from London&amp;#039;s Buckingham Palace to Pennsylvania Avenue&amp;#039;s National Christmas Tree. Champs-\u00C9lys\u00E9es, Paris, France  On November 23, 2009, French actress and singer Charlotte Gainsbourg flicked the switch for the Champs-\u00C9lys\u00E9es Christmas Illuminations. Adorned with energy-saving lights, lit trees graced the famous avenue from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde&amp;#039;s Ferris wheel, where other rides have been set up for the holiday season. Photo by Pascal Le Segretain via Getty Images. Cath\u00E9drale Saint-Julien, Le Mans, France  This light projection artwork\u2014meant to mimic the look of stained-glass windows\u2014was created by the artistic duo of H\u00E9l\u00E8ne Richard and Jean-Michel Quesne (a.k.a. Skertzo) and projected onto the cathedral&amp;#039;s outside walls during the 2008 holiday season. Photo by Jean Francois Monier via Getty Images. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Moscow, Russia  Fireworks exploded into colorful celebratory sparks on December 24, 2008, outside of Moscow&amp;#039;s restored Catholic cathedral. Though this marks a Christmas Eve celebration for the Roman Catholic community, Orthodox Russians still celebrate Christmas on January 7\u2014as per the Julian calendar. Photo by Dmitry Kostyukov via Getty Images. Buckingham Palace, London, England  In December 2003\u2014as part of a series of projection art ceremonies celebrating Christmas and the New Year\u2014London&amp;#039;s Buckingham Palace was dazzled with this snowflake-studded design. The event, Brighten Up London, aimed to illuminate landmarks throughout the city with images representing peace and Christmas. Photo by Steve Finn via Getty Images. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France  Though not exactly holiday-related, from June 30, 2008, to December 31, 2008, one of the world&amp;#039;s most visited monuments was dressed up like the European Union flag. The tower was lit with blue lights and adorned with a ring of 12 yellow-gold stars in honor of France&amp;#039;s six-month presidency of the EU. Photo courtesy of Justin Evans via Flickr.com. Reforma Avenue, Mexico City, Mexico  On Saturday, December 5, 2009, a Pepsi-sponsored 295-foot-tall steel-wire artificial Christmas tree was unveiled on Mexico City&amp;#039;s popular avenue. Designated the world&amp;#039;s tallest artificial Christmas tree, it beat out the one in Brazil, which had held the record since 2007. Photo by Alredo Estrella via Getty Images. Harrods, London, England  The world-famous British store\u2014which boasts 330 departments\u2014dressed up for the holiday this year in 11,500 white and green glittering bulbs, meant to transform it into the Emerald City to celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. Photo courtesy of YouTube.com. St. Peter&amp;#039;s Square, Vatican City, Italy  In 1982, Pope John Paul II began the tradition of displaying the nativity scene in St. Peter&amp;#039;s Square. This shot shows the final time it would be erected, since it was replaced in 2007 by the much-anticipated Nazareth scene, which was unveiled by Pope Benedict XVI. Photo courtesy of Bill Fisher via Flickr.com. President&amp;#039;s Park, Washington, DC  On December 3, 2009, the National Christmas Tree was lit and nearly 10,000 people joined the celebration, which featured nationally known entertainers and military bands. With the Washington Monument in sight, the famous Colorado blue spruce spurs on Christmas spirit nightly, acting as the backdrop for live performances through most of the month of December! Photo by Getty Images. Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Berlin, Germany  In December 2008, a large steel-wire Santa stood tall at the northern exit of Berlin&amp;#039;s famous train station. The display is one of many that decorate the city, which is also known for its array of Christmas markets, during the holiday season. Photo courtesy of Frankinho via Flickr.com.  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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