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The other side of Picardy’s cathedrals
Every summer and December as night falls, Beauvais, Amiens and Laon’s cathedrals are lit with an explosion of colours. It shows the gothic masterpieces in a totally different light – and it’s totally free to watch!
Reawakening colours from the 13th century.
It’s pitch black in the portico of the UNESCO monument Notre-Dame Cathedral…until suddenly, the three gates of the western façade and the gallery of kings are illuminated by an incredible light show. As if by magic, the cathedral’s 13th century colours are vividly brought back to life.
The idea for the multi-coloured displays came about when Notre-Dame Cathedral in Amiens was renovated between 1992 and 1999. As the many statues along the walls were renovated, more and more colours were discovered – evidence that the Cathedral had been much more colourful during the Middle Ages than it is in the present day.