Luminous route in Castres: the magic of heritage at the heart of the end-of-year celebrations

Since December 6, the city of Castres has lit up every evening from 6 p.m. for its 7th edition of sound and light shows. Through six emblematic places, this free route, open to all, offers a poetic and technological immersion in the history and architecture of Castres, on the occasion of the end-of-year festivities and the Christmas market.

These shows, produced using the mapping technique, transform the facades into real living canvases. The projections play on optical illusion, sublimating places with animated and graphic effects that distort or reinterpret their architecture. For a dozen minutes, each stage of this journey reveals a new facet of Castres heritage, mixing culture and enchantment.

• First stop: Notre-Dame de la Platé church

Rue Victor Hugo, the Notre-Dame de la Platé church welcomes visitors with a journey through time. Founded in the 9th century and classified as a Historic Monument in 1987, it reveals its successive metamorphoses: reconstructions in stone or wood, punctuated by the evocative sounds of worked materials. The projection evokes the major events in its history and ends with a striking performance where organ and carillon resonate, accompanied by a video of the carillonneur in action.

Not far from there, the municipal theater fascinates with its delicate projections. After a festive countdown, the building is transformed: leaves invade its facades, followed by a flight of butterflies in a floral explosion. Inspired by the garden of the neighboring Bishopric, the scenography celebrates nature while revealing the architectural details of the theater. “It’s very floral and colorful,” confides a captivated spectator. The rhythm of the music, initially calming, accelerates to offer an almost danceable finale.

• City Hall and the mischief of “Moustache”

A few steps away, the courtyard of the Town Hall welcomes the curious under the mischievous gaze of “Moustache”, an animated cat. His adventures, mixing humor and tenderness, include attempts to catch a firefly, a mouse, or even play rugby – a nod to Castres Olympique. The projections pay homage to the garden of the Bishopric and the transformations of the building, before a ballet of choreographed water jets, inspired by French gardens, closes this dreamlike picture.

• A touch of science fiction at Saint-Benoît Cathedral

On the Place du 8 Mai 1945, the steps of the Coulier bookstore are transformed into stands to admire the spectacle of Saint-Benoît Cathedral. If the projections are anchored in the medieval past of the building, they allow for incursions into futuristic universes. The light effects accentuate the reliefs and majesty of the largest church in the city, sometimes plunging spectators into a setting close to science fiction.

• A visual pilgrimage to Saint-Jacques-de-Villegoudou

The Saint-Jacques-de-Villegoudou church, a former stopover for pilgrims, highlights its rich heritage through an intimate show. The frescoes of Nicolaï Greschny and the paintings of Charles-Joseph Natoire are enhanced there, while the symbols of the pilgrimage are intertwined with historical references. This introspective journey combines sacred art and emotion.

• A new feature: the immersive cruise on the Miredames

Last stop and new this year (by reservation at 05 63 71 58 31), a mini-cruise on the Miredames barge invites the public to sail on the Agout. In a magical atmosphere, this projection on the water celebrates Christmas traditions, mixing sparkles, reflections and festive music, for a most immersive conclusion.