Paris La Défense

On 14 July 1990, France's national day brought the celebrations of the bicentenary of the French Revolution to a close. For the occasion, Jarre conceived a gigantic concert in La Défense, the modern business district on the western edge of Paris.

La Défense made the perfect backdrop, both for its futuristic character and for its skyline of skyscrapers, steel monoliths and Johan Otto von Spreckelsen's Grande Arche, all visible on the horizon from the centre of the city. To match the geometric architecture, Jarre designed a pyramid-shaped stage. There he performed with his musicians, a classical Arab ensemble representing one of France's largest communities, a choir, a steel-drum band and a cast of giant dancing puppets. The entire show was synchronised with 65 tons of fireworks and with laser and light projections across the towers.

For more than two hours, Jarre held a record-breaking live audience of 2.5 million people spellbound, and on that festive July evening much of Paris was filled with electronic sound and a sea of light.