The “Chroma” show lights up Amiens Cathedral for the end-of-year celebrations

A sound and light show dresses the Gothic monument in new colored clothes until December 31, 2023.

The cathedral of Amiens is coveredhe most beautiful finery to offer walkers a colorful monumental spectacle of 50 minutes. On the facade of the majestic lady, the spectacle Chroma illuminates the monument until the end of the year.

Despite the cold that has descended on the Picardy capital, the magic begins immediately. “They manage to highlight the cathedral with small details of light”, underlines a visitor. “It’s impressive, it’s superb to see”exclaims an admirer.

Bewitching

Thanks to the play of light and the video mapping technique which uses the projection of images, the sculpted decoration of the facade and the rose windows of this 13th century jewel come to life. The evening walker is taken on a captivating aesthetic journey. “We did not use the cathedral as a screen, the video mapping solution highlights the architectural characteristics of the building,” explains Pierre Savreux, vice-president of Amiens Métropole responsible for culture and heritage.

Devoid of speech, this show offers a subtle sequence of paintings and moving images. The music, for its part, accompanies the viewer’s immersion. Eight centuries after its construction, the cathedral still brings so many emotions to life. “I’m moved! Seeing the original colors again is magnificent. Our elders built some great monuments and frankly it’s amazing”, confides a spectator.

Coloring

The new route of Chroma proposes to adopt this time, color as a common thread. For the occasion, the Specter Lab company, which designs sound and light, has surrounded itself with Michel Pastoureau: the color expert. An infinite palette of nuances offers an evocation of the history of the cathedral and the city through the chromatic spectrum.

The projections offer a new restitution of the statues miraculously spared from the bombings. Restored in the 1990s, they originally had a very concrete use. “The cathedral is a vision of paradise on earth. The faithful from the Middle Ages who arrive in this place covered in shimmering colors like precious stones believe even more in what is told to them in the church and through these images”, says Emilie Messiaen, deputy director of heritage at Amiens Métropole.

A fascinating journey through the time of cathedrals, by turns luminous and mysterious.

“Chroma” on the square in front of Amiens Cathedral. Free from 1^er until December 31, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.