FAQ

Pyrotechnic show for institutional ceremonies: Celesta's expertise serving communities

Are you preparing a grand fireworks display, an inauguration, or a commemoration, and looking for a partner capable of keeping high artistic standards without compromising on safety? Celesta designs and produces pyrotechnic shows, drone light shows, and multimedia systems for municipalities, town halls, and communities of municipalities.

A service provider designed for local authorities

Celesta is a French design and production house of pyrotechnic, multimedia, and special effects shows, located in Aigremont, in Yvelines, with a presence in Normandy. We work alongside cities, intermunicipal bodies, agglomerations, departments, and regions to shape their official ceremonies. July 14 National Day, public facility inaugurations, May 8 or November 11 commemorations, town anniversaries, or heritage site lighting: each event represents the territory’s image and public voice. On July 14, more than 5,000 fireworks displays are scheduled across France. In this high density, a successful show stands out through its clarity, structure, and consistency with the message carried by the local authority.

Five languages, one single story for the national day

The climax

The grand display: the contemporary and silent option

An institutional fireworks display is not just a summer tradition. It is a unifying moment that enhances a territory, carries republican values, and leaves a mark on collective memory. We design each creation as a visual speech, readable by all audiences, from the front row to families at the back of the square.

Displays synchronized to an official soundtrack, an original music piece, or a voice-over, scenographed high-impact effects: architectural fountains, directional comets, choreographed sprays, and final bouquets designed to impress. Each effect is selected for what it adds to the message, not for technical demonstration. A spectacular final is valuable mainly for the build-up that prepares it and the silence that follows.

Category F4 products – Decree No. 2010-455 of May 4, 2010, implemented by an operator holding the F4-T2 certificate.

Illuminating the sky in silence

The drone light show, a contemporary and silent option

A drone light show adds an aerial and graphic dimension to a public ceremony. Several local authorities choose it for its low noise footprint, useful near residences, Natura 2000 zones, or sensitive wildlife areas. Drone flights fall under European Regulation 2019/en/947, implemented in France under DGAC supervision.

A luminous swarm enables aerial choreographies of 100 to over several hundred devices, custom shapes: community coat of arms, institutional logos, republican symbols, historical dates, and precise synchronization with music and voice-overs. For a family-oriented city festival, the drone show often offers a clearer narrative reading and better comfort for the public.

Complying with Regulation (EU) 2019/en/947 and, since January 1, 2026, standard European scenarios or a DGAC authorization.

A 2-in-1 show

Fireworks and drones combined: the hybrid show

Celesta’s uniqueness lies in its ability to coordinate ground pyrotechnics and aerial choreographies within the same narrative. This marriage of fireworks and light amplifies the visual impact, readable across multiple layers, and structures a richer story from prologue to final.

These hybrid formats combine tradition, innovation, and shared emotion, for a modern and controlled public image. A city opening the summer season with a classic display can mark its anniversary the following year with a show combining drones and pyrotechnics, without starting from scratch: we build on what worked.

Each setup complies with fire safety regulations for ERP (establishments open to the public) and is validated with competent services.

Heritage as a backdrop

Video mapping and secondary visual effects

Video mapping projected onto the facades of public buildings or iconic monuments turns heritage into a narrative medium. Lasers, synchronized LED devices, cold sparks, and light fog reinforce the staging and highlight the high points.

The setup starts the evening, before the entry of drone light shows and pyrotechnic effects, orchestrated in perfect harmony.

From intent to the final applause

01

Project scoping

We define the artistic intent, the ideal site, and the budget adapted to your community together.

02

Artistic writing

We design the dramaturgy and scenography of all our custom shows for your local authority.

03

Technical design & Permits

Development of detailed technical plans and management of all administrative procedures (prefecture declarations, display permits, etc.).

04

Rehearsals & setup

Meticulous on-site preparation: rehearsals, equipment installation, and final adjustments before the show.

05

The Big Day

Execution and live control of the show: perfect time-code synchronization between pyrotechnics, drones, performers, video mapping, sound, and lights.

06

Debriefing & Follow-up

Full debriefing of the show with you, sharing feedback, and preparing the next edition for your community.

A single contact, from concept to control room

Celesta’s strength lies in its ability to combine these disciplines into a single show, clear and emotionally right, without stacking contractors. Each element serves a common narrative. A single contact pilots creation, technique, and safety, reducing coordination friction on the day of the event and simplifying dialogue with municipality event services.

Why entrust your ceremony to Celesta

Certified pyrotechnicians and ICPE-classified facility

Our pyrotechnicians are certified to level 2, qualified for categories F4 and T2 under Decree No. 2010-455 of May 4, 2010. Our ICPE-classified storage facility secures supply and limits logistical hazards, without third-party dependence.

Double fireworks and drone expertise, rare on the market

We master both grand public displays in front of tens of thousands of spectators and drone shows for town anniversaries. This double competence avoids multiplying contractors and guarantees the artistic consistency of your ceremony.

ICPE-classified facility
Artificiers F4-T2
Drones complying with DGAC
Prefecture compliance
Aigremont & Normandy

Let's shape your next institutional ceremony

Each official ceremony is a highlight of public life. Entrust it to a team that masters the artistic, technical, and regulatory challenges. Contact Celesta for a custom study of your project and site possibilities.

Frequently asked questions

The project starts with a site survey and an exchange with your services on the occasion, capacity, and budget. Celesta then designs the artistic script, prepares the safety file, and manages administrative procedures. Ideally plan three to six months before the date for a grand display.

Fireworks remain unbeatable for power and immediate emotion. Drones are better suited for noise-sensitive sites, figurative messages like a coat of arms, and environmental goals. The hybrid format combines both assets in a single show.

A category F4 display requires level 2 certified pyrotechnicians and a declaration in the prefecture under Decree No. 2010-455 of May 4, 2010. A drone flight falls under European Regulation 2019/947 and DGAC. Celesta prepares and submits these files for you.

Yes. We establish safety perimeters, prevention plans, and coordination with emergency services. Flow management and capacity are defined with the local authority based on the site.

Yes. Our bases in Aigremont and Normandy serve as staging points, but we produce shows throughout France and internationally.

The budget depends on duration, number of effects, use of drones, and site constraints. We calibrate a proposal based on your envelope: request a study to get a tailored estimate.