Your pyrotechnic show, written by Celesta.
A pyrotechnic show specialist with more than 1,000 shows to its name, Celesta writes, produces and fires its own creations. No intermediary between your project and the pyrotechnician at the firing desk.
- More than 1,000 shows fired
- F4-T2 pyrotechnicians (employees)
- A detailed quote within 48 hours
Pyrotechnic show or fireworks display
A fireworks display falls under the pyrotechnic show regime as soon as the products are category F4, or the load exceeds thirty-five kilograms of active material. The decree of 4 May 2010 then requires a declarant, a pyrotechnician holding the F4-T2 certificate and a fixed minimum lead time. Celesta works only within this framework.
- Category F4 or more than 35 kg of active substance: the rules change
- The shot is taken by a holder of the F4-T2 certificate, who is specifically designated
- We prepare the application, file it at the prefecture and take responsibility for it
Our pyrotechnic work
Each project describes the site, the brief and the set-up. Upcoming public dates are given by phone.
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Fireworks display for the Grandes Prairies festival in Arras
View the project: Fireworks display for the Grandes Prairies festival in ArrasArras celebrates 15 August at the Grandes Prairies On 15 August, Arras celebrates the Fête des Grandes Prairies, a popular…
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A fire concert at Plessis-Brion Castle
View the project: A fire concert at Plessis-Brion CastleThe annual fire concert at the Château du Plessis-Brion Although less well-known than other major estates, the Château du Plessis-Brion…
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Musical Evening at Chantilly Castle with a fireworks display
View the project: Musical Evening at Chantilly Castle with a fireworks displayChantilly Castle, the setting for the fireworks For La Nuit Musicale, which combines a concert and a pyrotechnic show, we…
A pyrotechnician that produces everything in-house
Nothing leaves the company: writing, production, storage and firing are handled by the same teams, from the ICPE-classified depot in Aigremont in the Yvelines and from Normandy. So we can commit to the whole chain.
- Salaried pyrotechnicians: the fireworks display is never entrusted to a third party
- Our own ICPE-licensed storage facility, with products tracked right up to the launch pad
- More than 1,000 shows, in France and in more than 20 countries
- The Flambarts in Dreux, the Grandes Prairies in Arras, the Musical Night in Chantilly
Lead times for a pyrotechnic show
The administrative minimum is set by decree. If a date does not work, we tell you from the first discussion.
3 to 6 months
before the date, to write, produce and rehearse
1 month
minimum timeframe for administrative authorisations
45 days
to authorise a drone light flight
48 hours
to receive a letter of intent and a quote
You deal directly with a pyrotechnic company
The quote you sign commits the team that will build the firing plan, wire the site and fire the show. The insurance certificate goes out with the quote, without you having to ask for it.
- Certificate of due diligence and professional indemnity insurance attached to the quote.
- Certificates in the names of the pyrotechnicians who will be carrying out the display, submitted prior to the application.
- Drone light flights carried out within the framework set by the DGAC.
- A quote, a contact person, and a number to call on the night of the shoot.
The price of a pyrotechnic show by Celesta
Here are our price benchmarks, so you know before calling whether we fit your budget.
Prices seen on the French market
From 2,500 to 5,000 euros in a town with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, from 5,000 to 20,000 euros for a medium-sized town or a local authority group, and from 20,000 to 50,000 euros for a large city. A drone light show starts at 10,000 euros.
The factors that change the amount
The venue and its access constraints, the expected audience size, the duration, the calibre of the products used and the standard of artistic writing.
No extras along the way
The amount set in the quote is what you pay. The regulatory file, declarations and transport from our depot are included from the first version.
From fire alone to fire and light show
We handle all five disciplines in-house: they are written together, and you have a single point of contact.
Special effects
Controlled flames, cold sparks, mist and confetti, to bring the excitement to the ground and indoors.
Sound and light show
Architectural lighting and sound design, with pyrotechnics for the finale.
Multimedia production
Performers on stage, a written script, and pyrotechnics built into the story.
Light drones
Another discipline, silent and programmable, that we often combine with fireworks in the same show.
Request a quote from the team that will take the shot
Please provide us with the venue, date and capacity. Within 48 hours, you will receive a proposal and a detailed quote, signed by a Celesta pyrotechnician – not a sales representative.
- Aigremont and Normandy
- France and more than 20 countries
- We’ll get back to you within 48 hours
Your questions about pyrotechnic shows
What is the difference between a fireworks display and a pyrotechnic show?
The change is a regulatory requirement: category F4, or more than thirty-five kilograms of active ingredient. It requires a registered organiser, an F4-T2-certified pyrotechnician and a lead time. We use the term pyrotechnic show for a scripted display, with the detonations timed to the second in line with a narrative. Celesta produces only choreographed displays.
How much should you budget for a pyrotechnic show?
A town with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants costs between 2,500 and 5,000 euros; a medium-sized town or an inter-municipal authority between 5,000 and 20,000; and a large city between 20,000 and 50,000. A drone light show starts at 10,000 euros. The final cost is determined by the venue, the audience capacity, the duration and the calibre of the equipment: we do not draw up any quote without first inspecting the venue.
How long before the event should I contact Celesta?
Three to six months prior to the date for design and production. At the same time, obtaining the necessary administrative authorisations takes at least one month, or forty-five days if light drones are involved. These two timeframes run concurrently: they are neither added together nor reduced.
Does Celesta subcontract the fireworks display to another pyrotechnic company?
Never. The pyrotechnicians carrying out the displays are employed by Celesta; their F4-T2 certificates are issued in their own names and are included in the declaration file. The products are dispatched from the company’s licensed storage facility, not from an intermediary supplier. That is why a single quote is sufficient to cover the entire process.
Can we see a Celesta show before signing up?
Yes. Our public event dates are available on request, and our projects are documented on the website, ranging from the Grandes Prairies d’Arras to the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Saint-Lô, and from the Bagneux metro to the Heavy Week-End Festival. We’ll help you find the one that best matches your project.
What happens if an official order or the weather prevents the shooting?
The decision rests with the relevant authority and is sometimes made the day before. We discuss this when the quote is drawn up, rather than on the day itself: postponements, scaled-down arrangements or flameless alternatives are decided in advance, along with the implications each has for the budget.