Luminiscence in Bayonne at Sainte-Marie Cathedral
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Cathedral of Bayonne Dive into the legend of the Basque Country!

The 2 million spectators show

Narration by Anne Etchegoyen, the voice of the Basque Country, with the Chœur Bayonne Pays Basque performing live beneath the vaults of the cathedral of Bayonne.

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History Narration by Anne Etchegoyen 360° projections 360° video mapping Live Music Live Basque Choir

LUMINISCENCE IN BAYONNE: When light reveals the memory of stone

After captivating nearly two million spectators, LUMINISCENCE continues its tour and takes over the Sainte-Marie Cathedral in Bayonne.

Built in the heart of the historic city center and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, its majestic vaults and Gothic spires provide an exceptional setting for a spectacular immersive experience.

Discover its story, carried by the voice of singer Anne Etchegoyen. The monumental projections transform stone into a living fresco as music resonates beneath the vaults. A vibrant tribute to this jewel of Bayonne's heritage, revealed in a completely new light.

© Mikhail Sytenkov

Luminiscence Brussels

Press

ici logo

"Bayonne's Cathedral of Sainte-Marie is transformed into a jewel box of light and sound with Luminiscence."

sudouest Logo

"For 45 minutes, heritage, light and music become one."

le monde logo

"Luminiscence sound and light festival, is a blessing for creativity in all its forms."

arts city logo

"Breathtaking video projections awaken the sleeping soul of this architectural marvel."

JDS

“This original creation transforms the Gothic vaults into a journey through time, spanning the past, the present and the future.”

THE EXPERIENCE

Luminiscence Experience NARRATION
by Anne Etchegoyen

Storytelling is at the heart of the show. Immerse yourself in the legend of Bayonne and let yourself be carried through several centuries of history, guided by the voice of singer Anne Etchegoyen, a well-known figure in the Basque Country who embodies the guardian spirit of the place.

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Luminiscence Experience BASQUE CHOIR LIVE

Discover the full power of live music. The celestial voices of the Chœur Bayonne Pays Basque perform the greatest masterpieces of classical music with rare intensity. An authentic musical experience, carried by the emotion of the present moment.

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Luminiscence Experience VIDEO MAPPING

Thanks to cutting-edge technology, let yourself be amazed by the way light sculpts history.
The Cathedral transforms itself and lights up, unveiling monumental tableaux where every detail comes to life to deliver a breathtaking visual experience.

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THE SHOW PROGRAM

The 360° immersive show...

Sit back comfortably in the nave, look up, and let the voice of the guardian spirit guide you on a journey beyond time. Immerse yourself in a 360° experience where history, video mapping, and live music come together to reveal the living legend of this iconic Bayonne landmark.

Act 1: A Shared Destiny

Act 2: Through Shadow and Light

Act 3: Ancient Echoes

Act 4: Eternal

©Mikhail Sytenkov

Approximately 45 minutes

Luminiscence

... with a live choir

Before the show begins, the Chœur Bayonne Pays Basque welcomes you with Agur Jaunak, the quintessential Basque song — an intimate moment that roots the show in the living memory of the region. Their voices then elevate the original soundtrack of LUMINISCENCE, carried by the cathedral's natural acoustics. A unique encounter between live music and architecture.

LUMINISCENCE is available in 2 formats depending on the date:
Until July 11: Digital Music on weekdays and Live Choir at weekends.
From July 22 to August 29: Live Choir at every performance, Wednesday to Saturday.

The format of each performance is indicated at the time of booking.

©Mikhail Sytenkov

Luminiscence

The Voice of the Basque Country - Anne Etchegoyen

A native of the Basque Country, Anne Etchegoyen carries the Basque voice far beyond its borders: a gold record with Les Voix Basques, concerts at the Olympia, the programme Bidean on France 3. Her album Compostelle, born of her own pilgrimage along the Way of Saint James, resonates directly with the Cathedral of Sainte-Marie — itself a stop on the route to Compostela. It is this voice that guides the story of LUMINISCENCE in Bayonne.

"Having walked the Way of Saint James myself, and feeling a special attachment to Bayonne, telling the story of this proud cathedral that watches over the city and its people is a true honour. Milesker! Plazer eta ohore handi bat zen niretzat." - Anne Etchegoyen

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Anne Etchegoyen

ARTISTIC CREDITS

Writing: Stéphane LANDOWSKI and Matthieu IMBERT / Voice-over: Anne Etchegoyen

Choir: Chœur Bayonne Pays Basque / Choirmaster: Jordi Freixa

Musical arrangements: Alexis DUFFAURE / Musical composition: Studio BLANKTONE.

Practical Info

  • Duration:
    Seated show of 45 minutes
  • Age Requirement:
    Free entry for children aged 2 or under on an adult’s lap. Beyond that age, a ticket is required.
  • Tickets:
    It is recommended to book online to guarantee entry. Tickets may also be available on site on the day of the event, subject to availability.
  • Language:
    the narration is in French, but the show remains accessible to non-French speakers
  • Location:
    Cathédrale Sainte-Marie, Place Louis Pasteur, 64100 Bayonne
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DISCOVER VISITORS' REVIEWS

Caroline L.

An unforgettable family evening, majestic and marvelous, steeped in history and spirituality, with light displays, voices, and musicality magnified by the setting.

Elena G.

The light projections blended with the musical harmonies in a perfectly mastered rhythm, sending shivers down the spine and carrying us into another world.

Fanny C.

When technology meets the craftsmanship of historical builders, immersing us in one of the most enchanting journeys of sound and light. It was a waking dream. I still have stars in my eyes.

Jeremy S.

Perfect! A beautiful tribute to the cathedral through the touching tale of its history. An enchanting interlude that dazzled my eyes and my heart.

The Monument:
Sainte-Marie Cathedral

Sainte-Marie Cathedral, with its two slender towers dominating the heart of the historic centre, stands as one of the most iconic monuments in Bayonne. A privileged witness to the history of this ancient Roman fortified camp turned festive maritime city, it has lived through Bayonne's greatest moments. From English rule — when Richard the Lionheart was its duke — to the Hundred Years' War; from the arrival of the Gothic style from the Île-de-France region, which revolutionised its architecture, to its neo-Gothic completion in the 19th century by architect Émile Boeswillwald, a pupil of Viollet-le-Duc: the Cathedral has accompanied every transformation that has shaped the city over the centuries. Between sky, land and ocean, it still bears the mark of the sailors and pilgrims of Santiago de Compostela who have inhabited and passed through it over time. Carried by unique acoustics and a majestic atmosphere, the immersive show Luminiscence pays tribute to this spectacular place.

How to get there
Sainte-Marie Cathedral

FAQs

Do you have any questions?

Maybe you can find the answer here!

About the Experience

What does the experience entail? By combining 360-degree video mapping and live music, LUMINISCENCE offers you an immersive dive into the heart of the history of the Sainte-Marie Cathedral in Bayonne. The music resonates through the sacred space as its walls light up and come to life. The projections enhance the architectural qualities of the Cathedral. Through this breathtaking visual and musical spectacle, the secrets of the Cathedral are unveiled, highlighting the architectural prowess of its builders, its spellbinding interplays of light, and its extraordinary acoustics.
How long does it last? The experience lasts approximately 45 minutes. It consists of an immersive walk through the Cathedral's ambulatory, followed by a seated show in the nave.
Where will it take place? The experience takes place inside the Cathédrale Sainte-Marie, 15 Rue des Prébendes, 64100, Bayonne.
When should you arrive? You are advised to arrive 10 minutes before the time indicated on your ticket, in order to enjoy the light trail through the ambulatory before taking your seat in the nave for the show.
Is the show accessible to non-French speakers? The show is narrated in French, but the video mapping and music allow everyone to enjoy the experience, whatever their language!
Is there an age requirement to take part in the experiment? The experience is accessible to all; children aged 2 and under are accepted on an adult's lap. Beyond this age, children must have their own ticket.
Is it possible to sit down? Yes, once the walk-through is complete, you will be invited to take your seats in the nave to enjoy the show.
Is it possible to take photos or film during the experiment? Yes, you're welcome to take photos and film, as long as you turn off your flash. Please be considerate of other guests' view by keeping a low profile and turning your phone's brightness right down. However, cameras and devices with telephoto lenses are not permitted.
Is it possible to buy food and drink on site? No, it is not possible.
Will there be toilets on site? No, we invite you to use the nearby public toilets.
Is there a changing room on site? No, there is no cloakroom for the public.
Can I bring my dog? Except for guide dogs, animals are not allowed.

Event Accessibility

Can I get to the experience by public transport?
  • Bus: lines 3, 5, N1, N2 – Château Vieux stop
  • Shuttle: La Navette – Mairie de Bayonne stop
  • Train: Bayonne Station – then 15–20 min on foot
  • Car: Sainte-Claire or Glain car parks – town centre on foot
Is the space accessible to PRMs? Yes, the Cathedral is accessible to people with reduced mobility. If you are in a wheelchair, our team will assist you by removing a chair, so that you can easily position your wheelchair.
Can I leave and return to the event? No, all exits are final. Please remember to use the restrooms outside the Cathedral before the show begins.

Tickets

Will it be possible to buy a ticket on site? Depending on the remaining availability for our sessions, a quota of seats may be available for purchase on-site.
Where can I buy tickets? Tickets will be available online on Fever from April 2026. It is also possible to purchase your ticket through the Fever app, available on Google Play and the App Store.
Is it possible to request a refund?

This experience allows you to change the date and/or time up to 7 hours before the start of the event. You can access this option by viewing your ticket in the "Tickets" section of the Fever app, where the "Change date and/or time" button will appear.

Tickets are unfortunately non-refundable, except in cases of force majeure, up to 72 hours before the start of the event. For any requests, please contact Fever customer service.
Are tickets valid for other event dates? Tickets are valid only for the selected session, but tickets are exchangeable up to 7 hours before the event. You can access this option by viewing your ticket in the "Tickets" section of the Fever app, where the "Change date and/or time" button will appear. If you experience any issues, please contact Fever customer service.
Do I need to print my ticket? There is no need to print your ticket. You can simply show the PDF document at the entrance so that the staff can validate the code.
I can't find my ticket. What can I do? You will receive your ticket in PDF format by email after purchase. You will also be able to download it in the 'Tickets' section of the Fever app. If you have not yet installed it, you can download it from the App Store or Google Play. Remember to log in using the same account you used when purchasing the tickets. If, after doing so, you are still unable to locate your ticket, contact us.
How can I obtain an invoice? Please submit your request via the contact form. Invoices will be available once the event date has passed.

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Words from the Organizer

"Our mission is to preserve, share, and promote our history and heritage by highlighting emblematic sites that are part of our shared legacy. We are proud to offer an artistic, immersive, and inclusive experience that allows as many people as possible to discover the richness of our heritage, regardless of age, culture, nationality, or religion. We hope that LUMINISCENCE will inspire audiences to see sacred monuments in a new light, creating a unique emotional, memorial, and sensory connection."

Romain Sarfati, Co-founder and CEO of LOTCHI.

LOTCHI

THANKS TO YOU
LUMINISCENCE
IS COMMITTED

1,000,000 €

Donated for the conservation
and promotion of heritage.