Notre-Dame de Paris

Following the devastating 2019 fire, the reopening of Notre–Dame de Paris required one of the most ambitious audiovisual integrations ever undertaken in a historic house of worship. As lead integrator, Groupe Novelty delivered a fully networked AV infrastructure combining sound reinforcement, broadcast, video distribution and live production capabilities.

Built around a full-fibre backbone supporting Milan-AVB, Dante and NDI protocols, the system enables seamless operation for both daily services and globally broadcast events.

The project also included full AV delivery for the reopening ceremony, watched worldwide, positioning Notre–Dame as a next-generation, digitally connected place of worship while preserving its architectural integrity.

For the audio integration at Notre‑Dame, Novelty Paris approached the project with a clear mandate: deliver a world‑class reinforcement and recording system that respects the cathedral’s sacred acoustics while enabling modern liturgical, musical and broadcast workflows. The team deployed a full‑fibre infrastructure and a dual spine‑leaf Milan‑AVB/Dante network, ensuring low‑latency, synchronised audio transport across the entire monument.

Speaker placement was one of the most delicate aspects of the project. With strict architectural constraints, Novelty relied on precise altimetry, angling and rotation, supported by custom locksmithing, to discreetly integrate 128 colour‑matched L‑Acoustics loudspeakers. The system combines KIVA arrays, SYVA and SOKA columns, and compact 5XT and X4i enclosures, providing controlled coverage across the nave, choir stalls and chapels without visually intruding on the heritage fabric.

Amplification is handled by LA‑2Xi and LA7‑16i units chosen for their channel density and native Milan‑AVB compatibility. Distributed racks in the grandstands and technical rooms ensure short cable runs and optimal signal integrity. DiGiCo mic preamps capture the cathedral’s ambiences, organs and choir, while 20 Schoeps CCM4 microphones and a Sennheiser MEB‑114 SW at the altar provide pristine pickup for spoken word and liturgical music.

A major innovation is the world’s first installation of Sennheiser Spectera, a wideband bidirectional digital wireless system that consolidates microphones, IEM/IFB and control data on a single RF canal. This dramatically reduces setup time and RF congestion.

The result is a discreet yet powerful audio ecosystem that enhances intelligibility, preserves the cathedral’s acoustic character and supports high‑quality broadcast production for global audiences.

Lighting at Notre‑Dame required a level of sensitivity and precision rarely encountered in modern integration. Novelty Paris and its sister companies approached the project with a dual objective: illuminate ceremonies with dignity and clarity while protecting the cathedral’s architectural and spiritual identity.

Inside the cathedral, more than 200 fixtures from Astera, Martin, Robe and ARRI were deployed, chosen for their silent operation, refined dimming and ability to blend into the environment. Their placement was carefully coordinated to avoid interfering with stained glass, vaults and restored stonework. The lighting supports both liturgical needs and broadcast requirements, ensuring consistent colour temperature and flicker‑free performance for 4K cameras.

For the grand reopening ceremony, lighting took on a more theatrical dimension. Dushow TV installed over 200 additional fixtures inside the 1,400 m² marquee and around the cathedral, complemented by Viper 2.6 fog machines and AF‑1 effects fans to enhance atmosphere. All fixtures were controlled via MA Lighting grandMA3, enabling precise cueing for a ceremony watched by millions worldwide.

The lighting design played a crucial narrative role: from the golden illumination of the façade as the archbishop struck the doors, to the projected words of gratitude honouring firefighters and artisans. The result was a lighting environment that balanced reverence, drama and technical excellence, reinforcing the emotional impact of this historic moment.

The visual and broadcast integration at Notre‑Dame was engineered to serve two missions simultaneously: support daily liturgical life and enable world‑class remote production for KTO and international broadcasters. Novelty Paris deployed a full‑fibre backbone and a dual spine‑leaf network supporting NDI, Dante and Milan‑AVB, ensuring seamless interoperability between audio, video and control systems.

Eight Panasonic AW‑UE150 PTZ cameras were installed in architecturally discreet positions, providing multi‑angle coverage of the nave, altar and choir. Three additional cameras support content feedback and onsite streaming. A Panasonic 4K AV‑UHS500 switcher handles local production, while a Blackmagic ATEM 4 M/E Constellation 4K manages remote broadcast feeds to KTO’s headquarters.

Ten 43” NEC displays positioned behind pillars allow worshippers to follow ceremonies without disrupting sightlines. All visual routing is handled over IP, enabling flexible reconfiguration for major events.

Reopening Ceremony Integration Overview:

The reopening ceremony of Notre‑Dame de Paris on 7/12/24 represented one of the most significant live events ever staged in France—an unprecedented convergence of heritage, state protocol, global broadcast and large‑scale technical production. Groupe Novelty, through its network of specialised subsidiaries, was entrusted with delivering the entire audiovisual environment for this historic moment, ensuring that the rebirth of the cathedral was experienced with clarity, dignity and emotional resonance by audiences on‑site and around the world.

The ceremony required a complete, temporary AV ecosystem capable of supporting international heads of state, live liturgical performance, large public gatherings and worldwide broadcast. Over three weeks, Novelty deployed 24 articulated lorries of equipment, transforming the parvis, the cathedral interior and the surrounding Seine riverbanks into a fully integrated production site.

On top of the lighting fixtures installed inside (see lighting section), additional fixtures, fog machines and effects fans were deployed inside a 1,400 m² marquee erected on the square to accommodate dignitaries and guests. All lighting was controlled via grandMA3, enabling precise cueing for a ceremony broadcast live across the globe.

Outside, Groupe Novelty delivered projection mapping on the cathedral façade, trailer‑mounted LED screens for the public, and distributed sound systems along the Seine. Power distribution posed a major logistical challenge; to minimise cabling and preserve the site, seven generators were installed on a barge moored beside the cathedral, supplying uninterrupted power to lighting, projection, broadcast and staging systems.

The ceremony itself unfolded as a carefully choreographed sequence of symbolism and technology: the first ringing of the bells since 2019, the archbishop striking the restored doors as the façade glowed gold, the choir’s response, and the entrance of President Emmanuel Macron. A poignant moment featured projected messages of gratitude in multiple languages, honouring firefighters and artisans who saved and restored the cathedral.

The result was a technically flawless, emotionally charged reopening, an event that demonstrated the full synergy of Groupe Novelty’s expertise and marked the triumphant return of one of the world’s most iconic monuments.

The most significant challenge was integrating a modern, high-performance AV system within one of the most historically and architecturally sensitive buildings in the world.

Strict preservation requirements limited the use of invasive mounting techniques, requiring the development of custom solutions for speaker placement, cabling and equipment integration.

The scale and complexity of the project also presented major logistical challenges. The system needed to support both daily worship and globally broadcast events, requiring a robust and flexible infrastructure capable of handling multiple simultaneous workflows.

Acoustic optimisation within the cathedral’s vast and reflective interior was another critical challenge, demanding precise system design and tuning to ensure intelligibility without compromising the aesthetic integrity of the space.

The reopening event introduced additional complexity, requiring the coordination of multiple technical disciplines, including audio, video, lighting, staging and power, under tight timelines and global scrutiny.

Finally, the project required seamless collaboration across multiple companies within Groupe Novelty, ensuring consistent delivery across all technical domains.

The Notre–Dame de Paris project represents one of the most significant audiovisual integrations ever undertaken in a house of worship.

From a technical perspective, it demonstrates how advanced AV infrastructure can be successfully deployed within a UNESCO-protected heritage site, balancing performance, scalability and architectural preservation.

The integration of a fully networked, fibre-based AV ecosystem enables the cathedral to function as both a place of worship and a global broadcast venue, supporting everything from daily services to internationally viewed events.

The project also stands out for its scale and execution. Beyond the permanent installation, Groupe Novelty delivered the entire audiovisual production for the cathedral’s reopening—an event watched by millions worldwide.

More than a technical achievement, this project restores a global cultural landmark while equipping it for the future.