Des Flammes à la Lumière

Europe's largest sound and light show on 14-18

Des Flammes à la Lumière is an event show that takes place every summer in the former Haudainville quarries, a historic site at the gates of Verdun, in the Meuse region. Since 1996, this grandiose sound and light show has offered a particularly moving historical evocation of the Battle of Verdun and the Great War 14-18, recognized as the largest show in Europe dedicated to the First World War.

60 scenes between shadow and light

The show unfolds in 60 scenes that retrace the intertwined destinies of soldiers and civilians, French and German, from the carefree Belle Époque to the outbreak of war in 1914, from the hell of the trenches to the terrible Battle of Verdun in 1916, from the Armistice of November 11, 1918, to reconstruction and Franco-German reconciliation. The scenes alternate between deeply moving moments of humanity, striking war tableaux, and sequences of hope, culminating in a universal message of peace. The show ends on a luminous note: that of reconciliation between peoples and the construction of Europe.

A spectacular staging

The sheer scale of the show matches the historical event it commemorates:

• Nearly 300 volunteer actors on stage, from all over the Grand Est region and beyond
• 900 meticulously recreated period costumes, from military uniforms to Belle Époque civilian attire
• 1,300 projectors that sculpt light in the vast open-air quarry
• Archival footage projected onto the stone walls, blending historical testimonies and artistic creation
• Impressive special effects: pyrotechnic explosions, smoke machines, immersive sound, and monumental video projections
• A spatialized soundtrack mixing original music, period songs, poilus' accounts, and realistic soundscapes

The Haudainville quarries: a stone setting steeped in history

The show takes place in the former Haudainville lime kilns quarries, a remarkable geological and industrial site located at the southern entrance of Verdun. These quarries, which served as a refuge and cantonment for soldiers during the Great War, offer a natural setting of exceptional evocative power. The high limestone walls form a natural amphitheater that amplifies the emotional impact of the show and immerses the audience in a total experience.

The Connaissance de la Meuse association

The show is entirely driven by the association Connaissance de la Meuse, recognized as being of general interest, which has been working for decades to promote the heritage of the Meuse region. Nearly a thousand volunteers mobilize each year to bring this extraordinary show to life: actors, technicians, costume designers, stage managers, and reception and logistics volunteers. This collective human adventure is at the heart of the show''s identity, making each performance a unique moment of sharing and memory transmission.

A living act of remembrance

More than just a show, Des Flammes à la Lumière is a true act of remembrance that touches all generations. By staging history with humanity and without bias, by showing the shared suffering of both sides, the show carries a universal message of peace and fraternity. Since its creation in 1996, it has moved over 600,000 spectators from all over France and Europe, contributing to the historical and tourist radiance of Verdun and the Meuse region.