His photo sparked reactions on social networks: Strasbourg Cathedral in complete darkness at 11 p.m., the image shocked residents, opposition elected officials, and heritage lovers. Arguing a technical problem at the beginning of September, the city now assumes its desire to be exemplary.
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It was mid-September. Olivier Hannauer, photographer in Strasbourg, drives on the highway. “I noticed the headlight was off“. The lighthouse is the name he gives to the Notre Dame cathedral in Strasbourg which he photographs all year round from the roofs, from the streets and well-located windows, especially at night.
He first thinks of a technical problem, confirmed by the town hall which assures him that it will be repaired a week later. The photographer continues his night photos, then focuses on the Northern Lights from the Alsatian capital.
He is then hit by the extinction schedule. At 10:58 p.m., it is fully lit. And at 11:03 p.m., at the time when the rose window normally goes out, the entire building is instantly plunged into darkness, including the spire. He decides to alert people on social networks with this photo taken from Rue Mercière. The facades are lit, a terrace is still full of people and at the end of the street… nothing to see, the cathedral has disappeared.
There are numerous reactions, with elected officials demanding that the municipality reverse its decision. Before September, the cathedral was turned off at 1 a.m. Some have done the calculation: the city would save 4.80 euros per day in electricity.
Contacted by France 3 Alsace, the municipality responded: “this early extinction is not simply aimed at making financial savings. For the City of Strasbourg, it is a question of being exemplary at a time when energy sobriety efforts are being requested from all citizens.“The lighting of the arrow would remain”effective all night, all year round“.
The cathedral in complete darkness would be an exception, particularly during storms. Or because of breakdowns. “Moreover”, specifies the city in its press release, “technical malfunctions may occur causing certain lighting to be extended beyond 11 p.m. or, conversely, to be completely turned off, including the arrow. The photo circulating on social networks and in the press showing the Cathedral in complete darkness total, arrow off, would fall under the latter case. Investigations are underway to resolve this technical problem.“
Knowing that the red safety beacon has been taken down from the arrow and must be repaired by the DRAC. Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., no light, therefore on the spire, although located at a height of 142 meters.
Acte Lumière, the company in charge of illuminations, also reacted. The lighting of the cathedral is, in itself, a work of art. This is a “clighting concept imagined in 2014/2015. Ignition in 2016. Six international awards recognizing the excellence of this development“. The gradual extinction until the morning was part of the lighting. Acte Lumière would have liked to be consulted to modify its concept. Many lighting designers have also made a manifesto for sustainable lighting in 2023.
Olivier Hannauer says that the people on the terrace on October 15 were very surprised by the total extinction at 11:03 p.m. “The cathedral is surrounded by buildings, it becomes completely black, it’s shocking. We get a block in the head, we don’t expect it. We need to find a balance, do this gradually and at a reasonable time“.
We get a block in the head, we don’t expect it.
Olivier Hannauer, photographer
Opposition elected official, Pierre Jakubowicz took a photo of the cathedral in the dark, while the Eurometropolis and other administrative buildings are lit up all night.
Olivier Hannauer began his photos of Strasbourg at night in 2015, when the previous municipality implemented its lighting plan. “It was about lighting better, with more economical LEDs. I saw a real evolution of the light at night. At first, the cathedral was orange, it was awful!”
Since 2022, he has noticed another development: “the city is gradually plunged into darkness. The churches, the historical museum, the bridges… with Pink October, they were lit in pink, but it only lasts a month.”
A message on social networks calls out to him. “The arrow would have been lit last night, I will go check this evening.” He hopes that things will evolve and that there will be a constructive debate on the issue.
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