More than 25 years of shows
Since 1996, the Montreuil-sur-Mer and its Valleys Tourist Office has introduced you to the most famous work of Victor Hugo through its Sound and Light show “Les Misérables in Montreuil-sur-Mer”.
In 2016, we had the honor of welcoming you for the 20th anniversary of this event which over the years has become an unmissable summer event for nearly 10,000 spectators. On the occasion of this anniversary, our director, Dominique Martens, imagined new scenes and new decors enhanced with new musical creations.
In 2018, the 8 performances will take place on July 27, 28, 29 and 30 and August 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2018, in the historic setting of the citadel. Returning from a trip to Belgium, Victor Hugo stopped at Montreuil-sur-Mer on September 4, 1837. A few years later, it was in this historic city that he set most of the first part of the novel. ” Wretched “.
Faithful to this homage, 300 volunteer extras have worn, every year for the past 21 years, the costumes of their ancestors and those of the characters from the novel for an exceptional sound and light show in the mysterious setting of the Montreuil citadel.
A show imagined and directed by Dominique MARTENS based on the work of Victor HUGO.
Original music by Dominic LAPRISE.
Original choreographies and dances by Brigitte BOUYER.
An exceptional setting: the citadel of Montreuil sur Mer.
300 volunteer extras,
600 costumed characters.
A cavalry, pyrotechnic effects, original choreographies
At the origin of this show, a man: Raymond Lavogez. As he leaves for the Jura in Lons-le-Saunier, for a federal cycling competition, he sees the poster for a sound and light show about Victor Hugo’s famous novel, “Les Misérables”. Challenged by this event, he decides to buy two tickets to attend the performance that same evening. The idea of a sound and light then germinates in Raymond’s mind.
But it was during a card game that Raymond, a member of the Tourist Office, mentioned the idea of a new sound and light in Montreuil-sur-Mer to his comrades Jean-Claude Piques (President of the Office) and Jacques Gobert (Vice-President), meeting as usual every Saturday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Gambetta café. Osmosis sets in and the idea takes shape.
Once the content has been determined, we must now put this show into shape. The Tourist Office then launched an appeal to the locals, to bring them together, as volunteers, around what would become a great human adventure. It is also necessary to call on professionals: for the direction, Dominique Martens; music, Dominic Laprise; and dance, Brigitte Bouyer. Finally, Jean-Claude Piques is the project leader as coordinator and manager through his position as President of the Tourist Office. With Jacques Gobert and Raymond Lavogez, they manage the organization of the event from start to finish.
Between these three “musketeers”, the understanding is good, despite periods of tension and fatigue. They can only be satisfied with the work they left behind.
The first year was a real success with nearly 8,500 spectators. However, the following year did not experience the same success (6,200 visitors).
In 1998, the question of raising awareness among a public outside the limits of the Montreuil-sur-Mer district arose. The show must not end. Jacques Gobert then launched the idea of TV spots: 30 10-second spots will be produced on the France 3 channel. The sustainability of sound and light is assured.
Building on its success and its recognition beyond the Montreuil region (as far as Picardy), the event went from four to eight performances thanks to the help of volunteers. But it was in 2000, following Jean-Pierre Pernault’s Journal, that requests exploded. That year, the event reached 10,443 spectators.
After two years without a show (in 2020 and 2021), the Misérables & Cie association announces the last edition of the show “Les Misérables in Montreuil-sur-Mer” for 2022. This latest edition welcomes 11,799 spectators.
A new show is then under construction for 2023: “Juliette and Les Misérables”.
Let us add that the show would not exist without the quality of the staging, the support of partners and the involvement of volunteers.
The Montreuil-sur-Mer Sound and Light show is now an unmissable event. It’s a strength!