Dornbirn, Austria - The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, recently reopened after a five-year renovation, necessitated after a tragic fire. The Zumtobel Group provided advanced lighting solutions for the nave vault and supported artist and designer Patrick Rimoux, responsible for the overall lighting design, with his years of experience. The collaboration yielded spectacular results. In addition to the Austrian Zumtobel Group, represented by the Paris branch of the Zumtobel brand, and the Thorn brand, many other lighting experts participated in the restoration of the cathedral.
The vaulted nave of Notre-Dame Cathedral was lit by Patrick Rimoux in collaboration with Zumtobel and Thorn
© Julio Piatti / Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
The nave illuminated in a new light
The Zumtobel Group - through its Paris office - has been working with Patrick Rimoux for many years, which has resulted in the realization of numerous joint projects. Rimoux, a renowned light artist and owner of the Paris agency that bears his name, specializes in the illumination of religious buildings. Thanks to his extensive experience, he was chosen for this unique task of illuminating the rebuilt Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The project called for top-notch solutions, which Rimoux developed in collaboration with Thorn, the brand responsible for illuminating the vault of the nave and transept, among others.
The vault of the nave of Notre-Dame Cathedral was illuminated by Patrick Rimoux in collaboration with Zumtobel and Thorn
© Julio Piatti / Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Thorn: a lighting solution of the highest precision
The lighting project had to meet stringent requirements in terms of precision and functionality. A key consideration was also to be able to adapt the lighting to different scenarios, such as liturgies, concerts or other events. To this end, 54 powerful yet energy-efficient CONTRAST projectors from Thorn were installed, tailored to the specific needs of the project. LEDs with varying color temperatures - from warm 2200K to cool 5000K - were combined with an advanced RDMX controller. Such a solution enables precise control of lighting scenes, fully compatible with other lighting fixtures. The varying shades of white light allow for subtle color mixing, which enhances the vaulted nave and highlights the light stone of the cathedral.
