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Lighting the Soul of Notre Dame, Part III
A Masterclass in Modern Lighting Control
By Randy Reid
This article marks the final installment in our three-part series, Lighting the Soul of Notre Dame.
The first piece, published in designing lighting global (dlg), explored the historic lighting design by Patrick Rimoux In the second article, featured in the previous issue of designing lighting (dl), we focused on the restoration of the cathedral’s iconic chandeliers. This final chapter turns the spotlight on the sophisticated control systems that bring the entire lighting vision to life.
The lighting system at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris has undergone a transformation that’s as technical as it is artistic, blending reverence for the site’s extensive heritage with world-class lighting control and precision. Following the devastating 2019 fire, lighting designer Patrick Rimoux and a multidisciplinary team seized the rare opportunity to reimagine the cathedral’s lighting from the ground up.
At the heart of the new system are approximately 2,000 individually addressable light points—all powered by 650 eldoLED drivers and controlled via DMX through a Pharos control system. The DMX signal is distributed over ethernet through a network of Pathway Connectivity (an Acuity-owned company) devices.
“The challenge was to be as discreet as possible,” explained Elie Bouskela, system integrator and Director of Soliled. “Nobody wants to see the fixtures or the wiring, especially in a historic monument like this.” To preserve the architecture, drivers were remotely located in technical rooms on the first floor, with over 25 miles of cable discreetly routed through the cathedral’s structure.
The fixtures themselves—mainly supplied by Zumtobel, SILL and Derksen—feature eldoLED drivers for their precise dimming capabilities. “We needed dimming that was incredibly smooth,” said Elie. “Patrick Rimoux knew exactly what he wanted and insisted on eldoLED because of previous successful collaborations.” This meant even convincing manufacturers to deviate from their standard drivers. “Some manufacturers were initially hesitant, but we made it clear: no substitutions,” Elie added.
Color temperature played a central role in the design. Each light point is tunable white, ranging from 2200K to 5000K. “There’s no RGB here,” Rimoux stated. “We’re purists. We wanted to create dynamics using white light alone.”
During standard operation, the lighting transitions every seven minutes through a subtle cycle between warmer and cooler tones—typically ranging from around 2500K to 3000K. “The idea was to ensure that each visitor, spending about 30 minutes in the space, experiences multiple lighting atmospheres,” said Patrick van der Meulen, Director of Business Development for eldoLED.
The cathedral operates under a complex schedule of religious services and tourist visits, and the lighting is tailored to support both. “We’ve programmed more than 60 scenes,” Elie noted. “During services, the light warms to create a sacred ambiance. Before a service begins, lighting dims to alert visitors, then rises again as the ceremony starts.” For events like Easter or funerals, lighting can shift dramatically—utilizing color temperatures that aren’t used in the cathedral’s typical scenes.
Commissioning the system was a mammoth effort. Elie has been involved for over three years, from early integration design through on-site commissioning. To protect the monument, all drivers were preinstalled on 60 fireproof plates—each pre-wired and tested before being mounted in designated control rooms. “Every installation hole had to be justified and approved,” Elie explained. “It was like a giant puzzle with historic constraints.”
The lighting infrastructure relies heavily on Pathway Connectivity hardware, which translates DMX data over a robust network using fiber optic and copper lines. These nodes (or gateways) and switches provide redundancy and real-time diagnostics. “If a cable is cut, the system reroutes the signal. The software can instantly identify the problem’s location,” said van der Meulen. Cybersecurity was also a priority. “This is the same tech used in large broadcast productions in the U.S. It’s safe, stable, and trusted.”
This level of integration also proved invaluable during televised events. “We gave full access to the TV crews during the opening event,” said Elie. “They could control all 2,000 light points in sync with their show lighting.” Thanks to Pathway’s Pathscape software, the transition between architectural and show control was seamless. During the setup of the complete system the software also proved to be extremely helpful by indicating installation failures so they could be fixed in time.
A unique feature of Rimoux’s design is the extensive use of gobos—custom metal cutouts placed in front of light sources to shape beams. Hundreds of gobos were created based on actual sculptures and statuary within the cathedral. “Each gobo was like a photographic negative of the sculpture,” Elie said. “Patrick Rimoux could light only the statue, not the surrounding area. The effect is magical.”
In one instance, Rimoux even used a gobo to add a flute player to a 15th-century painting—a subtle, playful nod that surprised those familiar with the artwork. It’s a shadow, not a permanent change –just something for visitors to discover.
The result is a system that’s not only elegant and reverent but also immersive and dynamic. As Elie described, “The lighting becomes part of the visitor experience. It’s no longer just illumination—it’s storytelling through light.”
From ultra-smooth dimming and tunable white color temperatures to sophisticated DMX control and networked diagnostics, the Notre-Dame lighting system stands as a benchmark for integrating technology into sacred and historical spaces. “We’re proud of what we’ve achieved,” said Elie. “It’s not just about light. It’s about honoring the past while embracing the future.”
As Notre-Dame reopened its doors to the world, the lighting system stands as a symbol of resilience, innovation, and respect for heritage. It bridges centuries of sacred tradition with cutting-edge technology, offering visitors an experience that is both deeply spiritual and visually unforgettable. The collaboration between lighting designers, system integrators, and manufacturers has not only restored light to the cathedral—it has elevated it to an art form. In lighting the soul of Notre-Dame, this team has illuminated more than architecture; they’ve rekindled hope, reverence, and wonder for generations to come.
Fixture Companies
Derksen
Zumtobel
SILL
Control & Driver Companies
eldoLED (Acuity-owned)
Pathway Connectivity (Acuity-owned)
Pharos
