LIGHTING l u o THE S OF NOTRE DAME PART I
An Interview with Patrick Rimoux BY RANDY REID
When I arrived in Paris early in the morning, I headed straight to the newly reopened Notre Dame. With my phone in hand, I took nearly 100 pictures, capturing the cathedral’s breathtaking lighting design. Later that day, in a Paris studio displaying his art, I sat down with Patrick Rimoux, the lighting designer behind Notre Dame’s new illumination. As we reviewed my photos, he walked me through the intricate details of his work, sharing insights into his
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creative process and the challenges of restoring the cathedral’s lighting after the devastating fire.
The Call to Illuminate Notre Dame “When the fire broke out, I was in Portugal,” Rimoux recalled. “I saw it on TV—it was awful. About six months later, the architects contacted me and asked if I wanted to contribute to the lighting project. I thought it was a beautiful opportunity.”