The Lourdes candle factory will produce the official votive candles of Notre-Dame de Paris

Within the Lourdes candle factory, the first prototypes have already come off the production line. From Notre-Dame de Lourdes to Notre-Dame de Paris, it is in this “Very Small Enterprise” (VSE) of 15 employees, in the heart of the Pyrenees, that the votive candles will be produced for the 15 million visitors to Notre Dame de Paris, when it reopens on December 8. 1,250,000 votives will come out of the candle factory per year, in a concern for responsible production. 100% compostable and biodegradable, this tea light designed by the Lourdes company is made of soybean oil, with a container made of garrigue grass, which is manufactured in Mèze in Hérault. The cup is filled and packaged in Lourdes on the production line that is already used to make the sanctuary’s night lights. Choices that guarantee a “100% Occitane” candle, with certain advantages… For example, soy allows the candle to heat less and emit less smoke than paraffin.

Notre-Dame de Paris knew the work of the Lourdes company, and so naturally turned to it. Nearly a year of collaboration between Lourdes and Paris was necessary, “to think about the shape, so that the candle would fit into Notre-Dame, with humility.” Thus, this “little gem”, in the words of Guillaume de Vulpian, CEO of the candle maker, displays a refined, cream-colored design, with an inlay of the Notre-Dame de Paris logo. “A very simple shape, with a solid base” adds the director of the company, which is owned by the Lourdes sanctuary. The candles will be installed on the new furniture of Notre-Dame, in particular on the “rosette-shaped” displays.

Supplier for three years

It is a “deep bond of trust that has been formed between Paris and Lourdes, a bond of light” underlines Guillaume de Vulpian. A lasting link for, at least, three years, duration of the contract with Notre-Dame de Paris. A commitment which above all requires precise organization, for which the small Louvre company is prepared: “We have anticipated quite a bit, we have already been working on it for several months. We must not forget a single step, with good quality standards so that there are no problems” confirms Laurent Lacoste, production director of the candle factory.

A new task which is added to the usual activities of the factory, in particular the production of candles for the sanctuary. For the occasion, the company will hire an additional seasonal worker, “with the possibility of recruitment”, to keep up with the rate of 10,000 votives produced per day on site. Two full-time people should take care of the production of these devotional night lights. Currently in the “test” phase, the official start-up will begin in less than two weeks, in order to be ready for the reopening of Notre-Dame. In Lourdes, the candle factory will store the equivalent of a semi-trailer. It will then send the production to Ile de France to the premises of a specialized company. Notre-Dame de Paris will be served directly from her. Five trips should be made during the year to transport the production of the Pyrenees to the capital.

In addition, tourists and curious people will be able to buy this exclusive votive, online, on the Notre-Dame de Paris website. A box containing three votives has already been designed. A beautiful symbol for the candle maker’s teams to imagine that their production could be found “in Texas, in a suburb of Tokyo, and all over the world!” rejoices Guillaume de Vulpian.

It is therefore through the “little door”, explains the manager of the candle shop, that the small Bigourdane company enters the History of Notre-Dame de Paris. A “sparkle of light which is also that of Lourdes” and the TPE, open since 1928, and labeled “Living Heritage Company”.