Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, one of the most significant examples of Gothic architecture and the spiritual heart of France, is shining in a new light – in the truest sense of the word. After four years of intensive work, lighting artist Patrick Rimoux and project manager Shantidas Riedacker have created a light installation that is not only technically impressive but also reimagines the spiritual depth of the site. The ‘Symphony of Lights’ combines state-of-the-art technology with centuries-old symbolism.
The new lighting system comprises 2,175 spotlights and 1,550 floodlights, which can be individually adjusted via a central control system. A total of 50 different lighting scenarios are available – including architectural, liturgical and concert scenarios. These make it possible to flexibly adapt the atmosphere of the cathedral to different occasions: from festive high masses to quiet moments of contemplation.
Light has always held central significance at Notre-Dame. For centuries, candlelight was a symbol of the divine presence and a sign of hope. Rimoux describes this tradition vividly: “For centuries, the only light capable of dispelling the darkness at night was the light of candles. It stood very close to the ground, amidst the people, and enabled them to read or walk about.” He emphasises the spiritual dimension of this light: “These candles represented the symbol of Christ’s presence amongst the people.”
Today, modern LEDs allow for precise control of intensity, colour temperature, direction and beam spread. Colour temperatures range from a warm white of 2,200 Kelvin, reminiscent of candlelight, to a cool white of 5,000 Kelvin, which creates a more clinical atmosphere. Statues, paintings, parts of the altar and architectural elements are illuminated with sharp contours from a great distance by more than 200 PHOS projectors. This technical sophistication allows light to be reinterpreted as a means of artistic and spiritual expression.
For Rimoux, light is more than just a design element – it is a central means of expression for the cathedral: “To continue the history of Notre-Dame Cathedral also means to continue the history of its dialogue with light, a light created by people in the heart of darkness.” The new lighting installation is therefore not merely a technical modernisation – it is a tribute to the cathedral’s history and to light itself, which has been regarded for centuries as the ‘soul of Notre-Dame’. It invites visitors to see the cathedral in a new light – in the truest sense of the word.
Lighting Design: Agence Patrick Rimoux
Project management: Shantidas Riedacker
Installation: Gaudillère et Cie, Olivier Rocabois
