An event that highlights the area’s talents! “Cœur de Ville en Lumières” is a major economic event in Montpellier and for the metropolitan area. Its 9th edition was held from November 14 to 16. The event was once again a resounding success, attracting more than 430,000 visitors over three days, some of whom travelled great distances to attend the 19 sound-and-light shows projected onto 11 sites that symbolize Montpellier’s history and heritage.
This is precisely what sets this event apart from all other light shows in France: students from the region’s creative schools participate directly in the design of the shows, demonstrating the know-how they have acquired in the Montpellier area, a prolific environment for the Cultural and Creative Industries. Not to mention the must-see game zone revolving around the five continents, at the Théâtre de l’Agora, where you can try out video games created by Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) schools.
Once again, amazement was the order of the day. “Cœur de Ville en Lumières can be summarized by four adjectives: magical, festive, family-oriented, and attractive,” emphasized Alban Zanchiello, Montpellier’s deputy mayor in charge of commerce, at the inauguration.
An event that “is good for merchants”
The downtown light show event has a positive economic impact. “It’s good for merchants. Our role is to promote the attractiveness and vitality of the city center,” added André Deljarry.
“Cœur de Ville en Lumières supports employment,” added Carole Delga, President of the Occitanie Region, who was delighted to be present at the inauguration.
“We think about our shopkeepers, restaurant owners, and hospitality professionals when we organize this event,” concluded Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of Montpellier and President of Montpellier Métropole.
This year’s theme was to highlight Montpellier’s international profile through its history and buildings. A highly relevant theme, once again chosen unanimously by the event’s 16 sponsors and partners.
As confirmed by the Chairman of the Board of the Montpellier Méditerranée Airport, “We want to help promote our territory, as its attractiveness contributes directly to the overall dynamism of our airport. Cœur de Ville en Lumières certainly contributes to this aspect.”
His opinion is shared by Jean-François Blanchet, General Manager of BRL Groupe, a regional company involved in safeguarding Montpellier’s water resources.
“Cœur de Ville en Lumières embodies our values by showcasing the area and its key players. We have been a partner since the 2023 edition, which was devoted to water, our original business. The theme this year is the territory’s international presence. The BRL Group contributes to the joint effort through a variety of partnerships, notably with the University of Montpellier, I-Site Excellence Program, UNESCO ICIREWARD center, Aqua Valley competitiveness cluster, and more,” explains Jean-François Blanchet, whose group took part as a financial patron.
The vital role of partners and sponsors
The budget for Cœur de Ville en Lumières totals about 800,000 €, including 236,000 € in the form of sponsorship, financial patronage, and/or donated skills. Partners and sponsors therefore play a major role in helping to organize the event. “Without them, Cœur de Ville en Lumières wouldn’t have this dimension,” says Roger-Yannick Chartier, Montpellier’s deputy mayor in charge of sponsorship.
Several of them are also involved through skill-based sponsorship. This is the case of Deliled, with its staff of 18 people. The company specializes in LED lighting systems, supplying the service, sports, industrial, defense, and public lighting sectors. Committed to social responsibility and the local community, Deliled built the solar-powered lights that graced the forecourt of the Hérault Court of Appeals, while also providing six employees for the event.
The light show was an excellent way of shining a spotlight on the company’s expertise. “We manufacture more and more equipment at our facility in Vendargues, in particular retrofit platinum lanterns for public lighting, which is the most economical and ecological solution today,” point out Maud Guillerd and Pierre Zemour, founders of the company, which also works extensively throughout France.
Keyce Tourisme is involved in the same way, with its students mobilized for Cœur de Ville en Lumières. With its twelve training campuses in France, the company with a mission offers both initial and work-study programs in Montpellier, and has been a partner since 2023.
“This partnership gives us exposure, but above all, it helps our students gain experience working at the event. They get to spend time helping out at the Tourist Office and at the projection sites, and they set up the QR codes allowing visitors to access the various events taking place. A total of thirty students are present over the three days. They also get an opportunity to build their local network,” explains Benoît Taillefer, Managing Director of Keyce Academy.
For its part, the Montpellier-based jewelry house Frayssinet Joaillier was committed to sponsoring the event for an important reason. “It seemed appropriate for us to support Cœur de Ville en Lumières. It’s our way of giving something back to the city and the metropolitan authority for what they’re doing to help us through their policy of stimulating the heart of the city,” concludes Mathias Frayssinet, Group Director of the Montpellier-based company, which is active across the south of France, with four stores in Montpellier, three in Toulouse, and one in Bordeaux.
Discover the patrons and partners of Cœur de Ville en Lumières
The circle of patrons and partners committed to Cœur de Ville en Lumières continues to grow every year. Patrons this year included the Ynov Campus group, regional company BRL Exploitation, McDonald’s, Frayssinet Joaillier, Deliled, Crédit Agricole Languedoc, and Montpellier Méditerranée Airport. Partners included Keyce Tourisme, FDI group, Enedis, TAM, Hérault Chambre Of Commerce And Industry, Montpellier Méditerranée Tourisme & Congrès. Cœur de Ville en Lumières benefits from the participation of three media partners: Midi Libre, France Bleu Hérault, and Médiaffiche
