Caen's Operatic Parade

On May 9, 2025, the city of Caen will blow out a thousand candles in style! And we poured our whole heart into the poster of an event we won't soon forget.

To celebrate its millennium, the city of Caen went big: The Operatic Parade of the Millennium unfolded its poetic breath across five kilometers of streets, from La Prairie to the Bassin Saint-Pierre. Picture an open-air opera, with sculpted floats, music, costumes, artists, circus performers, artisans... and plenty of emotion.

The Caen-based company Le Ballon Vert led this joyful procession. A true collective adventure, where volunteers and professionals joined forces and creativity. A parade with energy, rhythm, and a real soul.

And we at MadamePolare were lucky to design the official poster for this celebration, continuing the visual identity created for this exceptional year! Not just an image, no — a heart.

© Théo Hamel

Because this project is the heartbeat of a community — the pulse of a city and all those who contributed. It’s also a heart that beats in time with the music, footsteps, and voices echoing through Caen’s streets. We brought that symbol to life with a flamboyant palette and the vibrant typeface of the millennium.

© Gregory Forestier

And if you missed it — don’t worry! You can relive the magic on social media: the City of Caen and France 3 Normandie have shared highlights, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and full replays. This project reminded us why we love what we do: giving form and color to collective momentum, and translating into image what words alone can’t express.

A huge bravo to all the energies that made it possible. We loved being part of it!