Melle signature lighting
Bespoke lighting to reflect the village’s heritage
Melle has been awarded the 'Petite Cité de Caractère' label, which is given to towns and villages with fewer than 6,000 inhabitants that have exceptional heritage and architecture. Some of its buildings date back to the 17th century. It is one of ten charming villages in the Deux-Sèvres department - including Coulon and Chef-Boutonne - that upgraded their public lighting with a scheme designed by Concepto and Roger Narboni.
The aim was to attract more tourists to the area and provide visitors with a unique experience by illuminating squares and notable buildings.
A comprehensive lighting scheme
They asked Concepto, a lighting design agency and its founder, Roger Narboni to help manage the lighting scheme. The brief was to design a coherent and harmonious lighting signature through immersive experiences with gobo projections (nature and heritage) and bespoke lanterns to reflect heritage.
Close collaboration with the local authorities was key to defining the areas to be enhanced and responding to the wishes of local residents. Once the recommendations had been made, the local authorities took charge of project management and team selection. Concepto ensured that the recommendations were properly implemented.
Bespoke lighting gives Melle a new nocturnal dynamic
After this initial phase, Lionel Bessières, founder of the Quartiers Lumières lighting design agency, was chosen to design a bespoke mask that would reflect the village’s history.
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Thanks to 14 ALUCA lanterns, Melle now has an innovative lighting identity that enhances its monuments both day and night. The scheme plays an active role in illuminating the Petites Cités de Caractère® in Deux-Sèvres, with the aim of enhancing their historic heritage and offering residents and visitors a unique experience
The new bespoke luminaires, developed by Schréder SIGNATURE, strike a perfect balance between tradition and innovation, meeting the highest standards of visual comfort and sustainability.
A tribute to history
During the early Middle Ages, Melle was renowned for its silver mining industry. It was home to the French mint for a period of time. In tribute to this heritage, the bespoke mask of the ALUCA luminaires is cut with laser designs inspired by the silver mines and the coins minted during the reign of Charles the Bald, Charlemagne’s grandson. The design features inscriptions from that period, fusing ancient history with modern technology.
The bespoke luminaires are installed on the village’s main square, with a special focus on the Halles, an emblematic historic building. It has given this space at the centre of community life a new lease of life at night.