Since its launch at the beginning of November, the Luminiscence show has already been seen by 35,000 spectators, according to the organizers. It’s as strong as Beyoncé and Jay-Z… but in church! Well, OK, the two stars were able to do it in one night at the Allianz Riviera in 2018 while the light show multiplies the performances (with 500 seats per show and several shows per evening).
The fact remains that this show at the Notre-Dame basilica is a phenomenon. So much so that the company “Lumiscence” advises booking two weeks in advance and announces that given the success, they should “most certainly” play the extensions “in February and perhaps in March”. Here are three reasons to explain this success.
A first on the Côte d’Azur
It was a hit in Bordeaux, Lille and Paris and it continues here. Leïla Coulaud, the coordinator of the show in Nice, advances the novelty and technical side: “We offer a 360-degree immersive show.
It is much more than a simple classic sound and light as we can see on facades or monuments: there, wherever we are placed in the church, we are in the show.
It’s a first on the Côte d’Azur.”
Word of mouth
The company Luminiscence has organized a major communications campaign but their best publicity is the people of Nice who do it themselves.
“We see people who come for the first time and who come back with their friends, their families. The enthusiasm of the locals establishes the legitimacy of the show,” rejoices Leïla Colaud.
On social networks, the comments are rave; “Magnificent”, “Sumptuous” etc. An unusual concert of praise in these times… Only criticism: the price of tickets is too high.
“We start at 19 euros for reduced rates, then there are rates of 25 euros or 45 euros depending on the place in the church. This is not excessive given the quality of the show,” explains the coordinator . Which specifies: “Part of the revenue is donated to the Diocese and the basilica for restorations”.
An incredible place
And then, the success is also due to the location – the magnificent neo-Gothic Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption – and its history which links Nice to France. Luminiscence allows the people of Nice to reclaim their heritage and see something beautiful there where others sowed death and terror in 2020.
The basilica comes back to life, the priest – Father Franklin (who we meet behind the scenes) – is enthusiastic. And he’s not the only one… All under the protection of a large security team.
Learn more
Notre-Dame Basilica (2 rue d’Italie). 60min show. From 19 euros (reduced rate for students and over 65s) up to 45 euros for the Gold category (placed in the center of the nave). Accessible to everyone from 2 years old (noise-canceling headphones can be provided on request). Ticket office on site on show evenings.
Reservation recommended on Luminiscence.fr.
