Using lighting to enhance the cultural heritage is a recent phenomenon - it first emerged in the late 1970s.

Keeping pace with these developments, electrical engineers working for VINCI Energies transformed themselves into lighting architects. They aim to design integrated lighting solutions and offer a complete range of services under the Citéos brand name.
Citéos takes into account the various parameters of each project : layout of the site, materials used (wood, concrete, stone, slate), environmental considerations (existing public lighting, vegetation, need to fit in with the wider local setting) and intended project duration.
The intention when illuminating a site is often twofold, both scenographic and festive.
Citéos teams use interactive simulation tools to test the reaction of the local community to different technical and artistic solutions (various possible angles, intensities and colours of lighting). Results achieved are often spectacular : every detail of a site is revealed by the lighting architects.

References

Notre Dame de Cambrai (France), illuminated by Citéos.

Illumination of the Porte Notre-Dame in Cambrai (France) by Citéos

The architecture of this classified city gate is rather special, the façade a mass of studded stonework and impressive cornices. To set this off, the lighting installation was designed to include a large number of low-powered lights.The result is that each architectural detail is individually highlighted : the roof with cold light (4200 K); the columns, the statue, the vases and figures on the pedestals with a so-called warm light, yellow in tone.

 

An other Citéos reference.

Illumination of the Abbey of Preuilly-sur-Claise (France) by Citéos

To celebrate the millennium of the abbey church of Saint-Pierre in Preuilly-sur-Claise, the local community asked Citéos to design a lighting scheme for the church interior.
After a detailed study of the building’s architecture, Citéos designed an installation highlighting the church’s 365 capitals, its pillars, statues and altars. In addition, atmospheric lighting was provided in the galleries, chapels and the porch.
Colour temperatures used ranged between 2500 K and 3000 K, i.e. warm tones.

 

Illumination of the Opéra Garnier in Paris (France)

Illumination of the Opéra Garnier in Paris (France)

VINCI Energies companies have been organising the lighting at the Opéra Garnier for over one and a half centuries now.

In 1828, Clémençon, a firm specialising in stage lighting, invented the “organ stops”, a series of gas pipes and valves supplying the projectors. This system was installed in the Opéra Garnier. In 1883, still with Clémençon, the Opéra switched to using electricity. In 1997, SDEL-Artec Grand Palais completely renovated the electrical system at the Opéra and supplied the installation illuminating the main façade.

 

Other references

• Illumination of Stanislas Square in Nancy (France)
• Illumination of the historic buildings and city centre of Le Mans (France). This installation was awarded the SERCE prize in 2000.
• Illumination of the opera house in Lille (France).
• Illumination of Rheims Cathedral (France).