Independence Monument’s got spark: the result of a $100 million deal with a French lighting giant responsible for lighting some of the greatest landmarks on the planet, which is now planning an overhaul of lights in Phnom Penh.

Next up? The National Assembly, Central Market and other classic city sights.

Citelum, a Paris-based company that specialises in urban lighting but has also been responsible for lighting heritage sites around the world, was contracted on December 3 to light the Monument as well as other major landmarks in Phnom Penh.

A renovation of around 10,000 of the city’s lights will be carried out over the next four years and by the end of next year 20 spots in the city including Central Market, the Royal Palace, the National Assembly, the Central Post Office and the main bridges (Monivong and the Japanese bridge) will be lit with Citelum’s signature look.

The company has been responsible for street lighting in Santiago, Mexico City, Shanghai and Naples, as well as some of the world’s most precious heritage sites including the temples in Luxor, Egypt and the Forbidden City in Beijing.

“The city’s choice was motivated by our offer of clear solutions, public lighting infrastructure, reduction in energy consumption, heritage enhancement, and innovation,” Alexandre Bouxin, Citelum’s spokesman said.

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