Aura Invalides’ Grand Opening Lights Up a Parisian Landmark

September 27, 2023

As night falls, the Dôme des Invalides comes to life, with light, orchestral music, and video mapping revealing its monumental beauty and rich heritage with AURA Invalides, an original creation by Moment Factory, produced by Cultival in partnership with the Musée de l’Armée.

Over the course of nearly 50 minutes, visitors are invited to partake in a sensory nighttime exploration. Guided by light, they wander through the Dome and its six chapels, where the previously unseen gradually comes into view, allowing them to attune to their surroundings and the magnificent aura it exudes.

The immersive AURA experience consists of three acts, each portraying a distinct dimension of the landmark’s foundation: its original construction, the memories it animates, and its capacity to inspire all who enter it.

Designed to stimulate the imagination of audiences of all ages, AURA Invalides invites visitors to be swept away in moments of collective wonder, fostering a deep and unique connection between public and place, as well as among the visitors themselves. Offering a 360-degree panorama of content, an expansive projection surface, and intricate details that can’t be fully appreciated in a single viewing, the experience invites repeat visits.

Technology in Service of History & Heritage

The Dôme des Invalides is one of the most ambitious projection surfaces that Moment Factory has ever had the privilege to work on. With a height of over 90 meters and a crowning dome with a minimum diameter of 30 meters, the structure presented a substantial technical challenge to the studio’s teams. In all, they mapped more than 45 million pixels across a projection surface of 3,500 square meters.

Their goal was to create an immersive environment in which visitors would feel completely enveloped — in light, image and sound. To accomplish this, Moment Factory’s technical and creative teams deployed numerous projectors and a spatialized sound technique. The convergence of sound and visuals heightens the immersive effect, creating the feeling of being plunged into the experience. Original orchestral music, specially created for the experience, blends with video mapping and lighting to transport visitors, inviting them to (re)discover this architectural marvel and iconic symbol of French heritage through an emotional lens.

Moment Factory Brings French Expertise

Moment Factory has been present in France for more than 7 years, during which it has forged close ties with local partners and executed a number of large-scale projects. AURA Invalides, developed in collaboration with the company’s Montreal headquarters, is its latest.

Since the launch of its Paris office, the studio has executed events for prestigious brands like Moët & Chandon and Renault, permanent installations in hotels and casinos like the Grand Magic Hotel and Le Pasino Partouche in Aix En Provence, collaborations with renowned artists like Bigflo & Oli and Jain, and enchanted night walks such as Alta Lumina in Gets and Oceana Lumina at the Arsenal of Rochefort. Moment Factory has also played a role in showcasing local heritage with ambitious projects like Regalia, a multimedia show displayed on the facades of the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims and the Basilica of Saint-Rémi, both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, in addition to Soissons en Lumières.

Moment Factory’s Paris office is located in the 11th arrondissement and brings together 25 multidisciplinary talents working on projects from their conceptualization to production.

Learn more about AURA Invalides or purchase your tickets at: aura-invalides.com

More information available here

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Jan 14, 2026 - GVA Lighting Promotes Gareth Bruce to Vice President – Sales & Marketing

    GVA Lighting Promotes Gareth Bruce to Vice President – Sales & Marketing

    GVA Lighting is pleased to announce the promotion of Gareth Bruce to Vice President of Sales and Marketing, effective December 5th, 2025. Gareth joined GVA in May 2024 as Regional Sales Manager – Southeast, bringing more than two decades of lighting industry experience from Philips / Signify. He was promoted to Director of North American Sales in September 2024 and has since… Read More…

  • Jan 14, 2026 - Intralec Electrical Products Proudly Representing SATCO NUVO Lighting Solutions

    Intralec Electrical Products Announces SATCO NUVO Representation

    Intralec is proud to represent SATCO | NUVO lighting solutions for commercial, residential, and industrial applications. SATCO | NUVO is a major supplier of lighting products, with solutions for nearly every lighting market across the commercial, residential, and industrial landscape. With over 1.5 million square feet of inventory throughout North America and thousands of products… Read More…


Design

  • EB Horsman: Can LED Roadway Lighting Enhance Road Safety & Efficiency?

    EB Horsman: Can LED Roadway Lighting Enhance Road Safety & Efficiency?

    At EB Horsman, they recognize that effective roadway lighting is a crucial component of public safety. With Lumec’s LED roadway lighting solutions, communities can ensure reliable, high-quality illumination that supports safer travel for everyone, day or night, while also improving energy efficiency and long-term operational performance. High-quality roadway lighting is a critical component of public… Read More…

  • Prolux Lighting & Controls: Project Spotlight – Residential House in the Kootenays

    Prolux Lighting & Controls: Project Spotlight – Residential House in the Kootenays

    Have a look at this custom residential home in the Kootenays, where Prolux utilized the HALO RL6 Slope Ceiling Direct Mount fixtures by Cooper Lighting Solutions designed specifically for sloped ceilings. These luminaires provided consistent, high-quality illumination while maintaining a clean, low-profile ceiling aesthetic. Their direct-mount design allowed for seamless integration throughout the home, supporting… Read More…


New Products

  • Philips Hue Transforms Lighting Design with the Hue SpatialAware Feature That Understands Your Space

    Philips Hue Transforms Lighting Design with the Hue SpatialAware Feature That Understands Your Space

    Signify is introducing Hue SpatialAware, which will transform how Philips Hue users experience light scenes. This feature analyzes the layout of your room and the placement of your Philips Hue lights to create the optimal lighting experience tailored to your unique environment. It’s like having a lighting designer in your pocket, allowing you to experience… Read More…

  • Liteline: New LUNA Fire Driver for 3.5″ Fixture

    Liteline: New LUNA Fire Driver for 3.5″ Fixture

    Introducing a new lower-cost driver option for LUNA Fire! This 12W, 120V driver with TRIAC/ELV dimming is designed to significantly reduce cost while maintaining performance, giving you more flexibility.  The LUNA Fire meets UL 1598 / 2108/ 263, CSA C22.2 #250.0 / 250.2, and ULC-S101 safety and building construction requirements granting inherent 2-hour fire-rated protection. It… Read More…