At Amien’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, illuminations company Skertzò’s shows pay homage to the original, more colourful décor during the 45-minute light shows.

Meanwhile at the unfinished 13th-century Saint-Pierre Cathedral in Beauvais, in between Amiens and Paris, the light shows have a different feel. The 30-minute shows are projected onto the impressive gothic choir – the tallest in the world – to show off its stunning contours. Brightly-coloured “statues” are beamed into the usually-empty nooks and then linked by the branches of a projected giant tree.

Telling stories with lights

“In Beauvais, we’ve let our imagination run wild,” says Hélène Richard, artistic director at Skertzò. “The cathedral is like a stone book, a mirror which reflects the history of the town. We are presenting our own interpretation of its story.” 
Over time, the light shows have developed and evolved. At Laon’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, the many gargoyles are brought to life with coloured lights throughout August during a 20-minute show.
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