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We went to explore the backstage of the sound and light show AURA INVALIDES

undefined undefined 3 octobre 2023 undefined 11h00

undefined undefined 31 décembre 2023 undefined 11h36

The Editor

© AURA Invalides

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Do you feel like exploring one of the most majestic monuments in the capital? Join us at dusk to witness AURA INVALIDES, an immersive and monumental show where music and light showcase the beauty and history of the Hôtel national des Invalides. Come with us behind the scenes of the creation.

In July, we announced the arrival of "AURA INVALIDES", an immersive sound and light show taking place under the Dome of the Invalides, and we were very excited about it. The opening took place this Friday, September 22nd, we went there, and we have to tell you: the show is breathtaking. The creation combines video mapping, orchestral music, and light effects to magically highlight the architectural structure. For 50 minutes, we get lost in the different spaces of the monument, discovering its history and the memories that inhabit it. We admire the beauty of each element that composes the walls and dome of the Invalides, in short, we are transported to a world full of grace and poetry.real.

We also took the opportunity to meet the person behind this whole project - or at least one of the many people who participated in putting the project together - Sibylle Confland, CEO of the Cultival agency. The perfect opportunity to find out a little more about the behind-the-scenes of AURA INVALIDES.


A crazy project born in Montreal

While this is indeed a first in France, the idea for the creation of AURA INVALIDES nevertheless originated in Montreal. It was during a trip to the Quebec metropolis that Thibault Manchon and Sibylle Confland, both involved with Cultival, discovered the concept of this sound and light show, in the heart of the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal.

Absolutely crazy, we thought it was so incredible that we had to bring it back to France, says the director. After a meeting with Moment Factory, the studio that created the concept in Montreal, the question of where to create such a spectacle arose: "We needed a truly spectacular place, with a beautiful space and above all, steeped in history, in order to recreate the exceptional atmosphere that we had experienced." The Dôme des Invalides immediately imposed itself as an obvious choice. 3 years of planning and 130 people mobilized To live up to the location, it took 3 years and no less than 130 people to develop the project, between Paris and Canada. Because if AURA INVALIDES takes on the codes of AURA Montreal.em>, the dome where Napoleon I's tomb rests is 4 times the size of the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal. The task was therefore titanic compared to what had been done before.

With 80 meters high, 6 chapels on each side of the hotel and a 360-degree view, creating a sound and light show under the Dome of the Invalides proved to be a real technical challenge. « For example, it was very important that the equipment was not visible, both during daytime visits and to maintain the magic of the spectacle. We therefore painted everything in the colors of the stone, so that it integrates seamlessly into the monument », explains Sibylle Confland.

Another challenge:That of sound. To create a musical soundtrack suited to the monumental space, where the sound reverberates for no less than 10 seconds, an orchestra of 55 musicians — including 17 strings, 11 brass, 8 winds, and a choir of 16 voices — worked on the creation of a unique and exceptional music, thought and composed from the 3 movements imagined for the AURA INVALIDES experience.


A place steeped in history

Beyond the immensity of the place, the teams also had to adapt to the history of the Hôtel national des Invalides. Inaugurated in 1706 during the reign of the Sun King, temple of the God Mars during the French Revolution, national pantheon of military glory in the 19th century, final resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte, and secret refuge for English pilots during World War II, the Hôtel national des Invalides has been the magnificent stage for defining periods of French history. More than just a history lesson, the idea of AURA INVALIDES is to convey an emotion through this heritage.

During the show, for example, we discover a battle scene illustrating World War II. Sibylle Confland explains that to recreate the scene as accurately as possible, the creative teams went to find small lead soldiers that are part of the museum's collections and scanned them in 3D, so that they could then be projected onto the wall. This anecdote is just one among many that shows the tireless dedication of the show's creators.

As you may have understood, AURA INVALIDES is an experience that is out of the ordinary, allowing us to (re)discover the monument in a completely different way.

When you step inside, it's like entering a whole new world. Far away from the hustle and bustle of Paris, you experience a privileged and timeless moment, right in the heart of a monument that is usually closed to the public once night falls. And if you want to get a taste of what it's like, check out this video: Now, let's dive into the details: AURA INVALIDE Dome des Invalides 2, place Vauban – 7e Prices: €22 for adults, €13.50 for those under 26 More information and tickets: [Aura Invalides website](https://aura-invalides.com/fr_FR/products/indiv/aura-invalides) Don't miss out on this incredible experience!