The cathedral of Amiens in color
 

This week, I went to Amiens one night specifically to see the light show at Notre Dame d'Amiens, which is now in its 15th year. The train takes about 70 minutes and costs only 10 euros from Paris if you book ahead. I got my tickets only about 3 weeks ago, which spared me from paying the walk-up fare of 18.50€. I spent the night there because the show is at 10 p.m. at this time of year (10:30 p.m. in July). However, if you go in December, when they also have the show, I think it is at 6 p.m.

All you have to do is gather on the square in front of the cathedral and wait for the clock to strike 10. The show lasts about 40 minutes.

I took a number of pictures, which you can find here: http://tinyurl.com/ndamiens

Nice one.
We saw a light show at the Strasbourg cathedral last year, really lovely.

We saw this show a few years ago, and were completely blown away . . . have never before or since seen anything so spectacular.

I wonder if the display still runs through twice; the first time with French commentary, the second with English?

Thanks for taking my memory back there kerouac, Di

I've seen the shows in both Chartres and Reims but not Strasbourg, which I assume cannot be done adequately simply because there is not a big enough open square in front of the cathedral. But all such projections are stunning, even on modern buildings.

Amiens was the precursor of the cathedral presentations, though, and I'm pretty sure that it has the most intricate sculptures on the front as well. Even with computer assistance, it must take incredible work to get everything right.

I like your reports.

Gorgeous, as always! Thanks very much for sharing!

Your photos are so evocative. As always, thanks for posting.

Thank you for the beautiful pics. This is now on my list for next year if all goes well, so, thank you.

Another wonderful report by Kerouac!
Thank you!

Stunning photos -- thanks once more for sharing your experiences in your beautiful city!

s

Loved seeing your pictures - was wondering what the cathedral would look like in colour when we were there in May. The people who saw the cathedral at its opening must have been amazed.

Thanks, I'm glad you all liked it. For anybody wondering if it is possible to see the light show as a day trip, the answer is no, because the last train back to Paris leaves around 20:30. But Amiens is well worth an overnight stay, particulier in the Saint Leu area just beyond the cathedral, where there is a huge cluster of restaurants and bars.

This is the Strasbourg cathedral lit up,

https://www.flickr.com/photos/132774...7655588151176/

you are right about the lack of an open square in the foreground.

Simply stunning, Kerouac! Thank you!

Kerouac, I just went back and looked at your report again, and I want to say that I would happily pay your train fare to any place you would want to go in France for the privilege of being able to enjoy such a delightful presentation.

I'm serious.

That is an amazing compliment, nukesafe. Thank you.

I did look at a few other things in Amiens the next morning and documented them here: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...21/amiens-2015

Thank you, kerouac!! Your photos are amazing.

We will be in Paris in December and planned Amiens as a day trip. We want to see the light show and their Christmas markets.

Very interesting. We don't think of the old gray stone structures as having been painted at an earlier time, same as the way we think of Greek and Roman ruins as having always been white.

The light process reminds me of a very different exhibit I saw recently of twentieth century murals by Rothko which have faded very badly due to the materials used and the fact that they were required to be hung in a room at Harvard where light could damage them. Instead of restoring the colors with paint, the process of restoration involves shining light on them, with colors designed to bring the faded murals back to their original vibrant colors. At the end of the day, the Harvard museum turned off the lights so you could see the contrast between the faded and the restored versions.

Enjoyed your walk around Amiens - seeing many familiar spots . Ate a good meal T Tante Jeanne - Picardy pancakes a speciality . Also loved the gardens around the waterways. Amiens - a very special town for Aussies !!!