Celebrate an exceptional woman

This project aims to give the Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc Basilica in Paris an elegant and hopeful nighttime identity, revealing the uniqueness of its architecture and its connection to Joan of Arc, a symbol of bravery, passion and inner strength. Today, the basilica remains largely absorbed by the surrounding urban darkness, leaving its distinctive architectural and symbolic qualities insufficiently perceived at night.
As part of Atelier dada’s broader study exploring a renewed nocturnal aesthetic for Paris, known as Lavis de lumière and presented to city officials in 2021, this lighting proposal envisions the basilica as a sensitive and unifying landmark. A soft, carefully controlled light highlights its monolithic silhouette, reveals its sculptures and makes its name legible at night, offering a calm and reassuring presence within the city.
The lighting composition introduces a dreamlike dimension. Subtle gradients evoke Joan of Arc’s banner, unfolding the façade as an open, almost winged figure facing the city. Light becomes a narrative medium, suggesting movement, elevation and breath.
Beyond the figure of Joan of Arc, the project carries a broader message. The basilica could become a place of tribute to other remarkable French women, figures of commitment, creativity or courage, gathering the community around universal human values. A progressive lighting scenography would allow these figures to appear through programmed animations, adaptable to key moments throughout the year or to special events.
In its standard nighttime mode, the lighting gradually softens as the night advances, gently preparing nearby residents for rest within an atmosphere of calm and serenity. During moments of celebration, the light can take on a more expressive presence. On the occasion of the 2024 Olympic Games, given the basilica’s location along the Olympic route to Saint-Denis, the installation could pay tribute to French or international female athletes, anchoring the site within a contemporary, inclusive and inspiring narrative.
Through this lighting design, the Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc Basilica becomes a space of peace and beauty, connecting past and future, and enriching Paris’s nocturnal identity with a message of hope and continuity.