Châlons-en-Champagne, near Reims, in the heart of the historic province of Champagne, is home to the House of Joseph Perrier, a company founded in 1825 and currently run by the sixth generation of the founding family. Joseph Perrier stands for a tradition of Champagne excellence handed down from father to son for almost two centuries. The House is headquartered in an old coaching inn, and the land surrounding it holds a network of subterranean tunnels excavated in the Gallo-Roman era.

In 2019, the company commissioned an ambitious project. The historic site was completely renovated, and new areas open to the public were added. At the same time, the lighting was redesigned. The cellars, the new garden and the outdoor spaces all benefited from a metamorphosis of their lighting to offer visitors an immersive experience.

The Parisian lighting design studio Lumesens, in the person of Emeric Thiénot, was responsible for the project, taking into account the constraints imposed by the company’s heritage, the technical, architectural and landscaping requirements, and the economic and environmental conditions. The Lumesens studio found the ideal partner in L&L Luce&Light, not only because of the lighting fixtures’ intrinsic characteristics but also because of the availability of bespoke solutions.

During their visit, guests encounter light projections reminiscent of water reflections. These are created by Ginko projectors using sharp optics combined with bespoke optical accessories made specifically by Lumesens.

"With these two effects, we tried to give substance to the light. Unlike a lighting manufacturer, who has to control their beams of light, we have deconstructed the light to give it both materiality and fragility." Emeric Thiénot, Lumesens

The reliability of the AISI 316L stainless steel used for the lighting fixtures is fundamental because they are installed in a challenging environment because of not only the humidity in the air but also the limestone of the tunnel walls.

Outside, other Ginko fixtures pick out the majestic wrought iron sign that spans the gate columns at the entrance to the complex. The garden paths are lit by customized versions of Pasito 1.1, which are installed on bollards; the same step lights have been used in the upper and lower parts of the covered walkways, where they illuminate both the ground and the arched ceilings.

On the building’s facade, Lyss 1.0 outdoor projectors have been strategically positioned on the outermost edges of the windowsills, where they create a luminous frame around the windows and around the entire facade, including the cornice.

The project was awarded the Prix de l’ACEtylène 2020 by the Association des Concepteurs Lumière et Éclairagistes in the category for interior lighting design.