The Strasbourg Cathedral is dressed up to the nines every night on these summer nights with some fun-tastic facades. Due to Covid-19, the usual sound and light spectacle has been cancelled. Yeah, another victim… but hey, I don’t find this such a bad alternative. Indeed, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and creativity. The cathedral has known many faces over the centuries. In fact, over a millennium – from its Roman foundations to Gothic re-looking.
The Light Show Must Go On
But for this show – each night at 10pm thereabouts, the Strasbourg cathedral is cast in various ( fancy) dress . From flying bats and colourful butterflies to velvety jungle and rainforest greens. The whole thing is very nature-inspired. At a time when nature – preserving it, appreciating it, observing it – is critical.
“The facades are beautified thanks either to still images, or video projections, which take the form of a contemplative fresco,” says a press release from the city administration.
Head to the Place du Château and take a seat at this small outdoor cinematic display. The production goes on in 13-minute spools. So if you like it or missed something, you can stay for the replays.
Back To Nature
The theme of the show is “la Prairie” – the meadow. You might feel at times that you are rolling around in one, in voluptuous velvety Baroque-coloured grass. One French paper put it poetically (and typically French lavishly creative): “The public wanders around it like an insect in the middle of the vegetation. The sun’s rays play with this meadow and interact with the water source (the fountain).
“… the dreamlike paintings that follow one another, slowly mingle with the strolling of the public through the meadow.”
Magic Mirrors On Place du Château Too
During the day, other immersive installations are on offer, such as “a mirror mystery box reflecting the Place du Château”. The mirror shows amazing, distorted images of the architecture gracing the square. Those buildings span three architectural styles.
The 1307-completed left wing of the Cathedral Notre-Dame on one side. Decidedly Gothic. The right (1580-built) wing is Renaissance. On the other side of the square is the Palais Rohan, an 18th century gem. It’s the old home of the Prince-Bishop of Strasbourg.
Unlike most years, when there is a wow-bang light and sound show, this spectacle has no narration. No major mise-en-scène.
Due to Covid, the city wants the atmosphere to “encourage strolling”, rather than crowds. The latter there ain’t. Which is both wonderful and a little sad. Given the reasons for that. On the upside, low crowds mean no “vaccination pass” is required – but masks are.
The show goes on through to the end of August. Stay tuned for more trips and French news.