Parisian cultural landmark La Villette has been transformed into an immersive audio experience with L-Acoustics L Series line source arrays and L-ISA technology by B Live.
In the northeast corner of Paris, the 55-hectare Parc de la Villette has evolved into one of Europe's most dynamic cultural districts where science, music, and art converge. This vibrant urban park hosts an exceptional concentration of cultural institutions, from the acoustically renowned Philharmonie de Paris to Europe's largest science museum, the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie.
Dominating the landscape is the breathtaking Grande Halle de la Villette, with its distinctive 19th-century industrial architecture featuring glass and intricate cast iron framework. Originally commissioned by Napoleon III as an abattoir in 1867, this 20,000-sq m structure was reimagined as a versatile cultural venue in 1985, now showcasing everything from international art exhibitions to rock concerts to avant-garde theatrical productions.
Building on a long-standing partnership with L-Acoustics that began with one of the world's first V-DOSC installations in the mid-1990s and continued with a K3 system upgrade in 2022, the Grande Halle has now reinforced its position at the forefront of performing arts technology with an L-Acoustics L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound system featuring L-Acoustics L Series line source arrays. The installation also includes a dedicated pre-production studio with L-Acoustics X Series coaxial speakers, completing the L-ISA ecosystem at the Grand Halle.
The semi-permanent 1,400-capacity Charlie Parker performance space, constructed each spring and operational for six months, serves as the primary home for the new L Series L-ISA system.
Implementing immersive audio technology within a protected historical structure presented considerable challenges. The Grande Halle's soaring glass ceiling and metal framework required a creative solution to deliver consistent spatial imaging throughout the performance space.
The Charlie Parker performance space features five hangs of one L-Acoustics L2 over an L2D spread across the stage, while 13 X8i across the stage lip provide spatial front-fill. Two centrally flown cardioid arrays of three KS28 subwoofers provide controlled low-frequency reinforcement. Twelve X12 coaxial loudspeakers – four each on the side and back walls – provide surround sound. The entire system is driven by 11 LA7.16, two LA12X and three LA4X amplified controllers.
The L-ISA technology at La Villette fundamentally transforms how different performance types connect with audiences. For dance productions, choreographic movements can now be precisely tracked and sonically mirrored throughout the space, creating a synesthetic experience where sound follows motion. Theatrical performances benefit from voice localisation that anchors performers' positions regardless of audience sightlines, while contemporary music showcases can now envelop listeners in three-dimensional soundscapes that transcend traditional stereo limitations.