1739
Paris
Royal wedding
Fireworks for the wedding of Louis XV's eldest daughter.
The origins of modern pyrotechnics
Since 1739
In 1739, at the invitation of King Louis XV, the Italian Ruggieri brothers settled in Paris and began their illustrious careers as pyrotechnicians. This family never ceased to put their art to work for history-making events and public gatherings.
From George II to Napoleon and from Queen Victoria to the Prince of Monaco, the world’s most illustrious figures supported the Ruggieri brothers’ technical innovations, thereby laying the foundations of modern pyrotechnics. Ruggieri was quickly established as a global leader.
A historical portrait of Pietro Ruggieri
18th century
18th century
Historical references
Nearly 300 years of exceptional encounters
1770
Versailles
Union in Versailles
Fireworks for the wedding of Louis-Auguste, the future Louis XVI, and Marie-Antoinette of Austria.
Archives & engravings — fragments of an era
1804
France
Imperial coronation
Celebration of the coronation of Emperor Napoleon.
1810
France
Imperial wedding
Fireworks for the wedding of Napoleon and Marie Louise of Austria.
1825
France
Royal coronation
Celebration of the coronation of Charles X.
Public celebrations & grand decorations
1855
Versailles
Official visit
Fireworks display in Versailles in honour of Queen Victoria.
1902
Paris
"Paris in lights"
Fireworks in Paris for Tsar Nicholas II, viewed from the Eiffel Tower.
1938
France
State honours
Fireworks for the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain and Ireland.
1950
Versailles
The Gardens of the Palace of Versailles
Production, for more than a decade, of the fireworks displays staged at the Neptune Basin.
1953
Londres
Royal coronation
Participation in the celebrations for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
1954
Montevideo
Ruggieri is exported all over the world
First project outside Europe: the lighting of the Copa Montevideo in Uruguay
1976
New York & Washington
American Independence Day
Celebration of US Independence Day with two spectacular fireworks displays: one at the White House and the other in front of the Statue of Liberty.
1986
New York
Statue of Liberty centennial
Participation in the centennial celebrations of the Statue of Liberty in the United States.
1987
Paris
150th anniversary of Hermès
From the Seine, creation of the Pavillon de Feu, a monumental replica of the music pavilion designed for the wedding of King Louis XV's daughter in 1739.
1988
France
Club of World No. 1s
Ruggieri joins the “Club of World No. 1s” on the initiative of the French Minister for Foreign Trade.
1992
Albertville
Winter Olympic Games
Ruggieri stages the pyrotechnic show for the opening ceremony of the Albertville Olympic Games, in collaboration with Philippe Decouflé.
1997
France
Merger with Étienne Lacroix
The Étienne Lacroix group acquires Ruggieri, bringing together two major names in French pyrotechnics. Fifteen years later, the company returns to the sole Ruggieri name.
2000
Gizeh
Millennium concert
Ruggieri supports Jean-Michel Jarre for the Millennium Concert at the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt.
2014
Espagne
International expansion
The Etienne Lacroix Group has acquired the Spanish manufacturer Pirotecnia Zaragozana, whilst retaining its brand name.
2015
Dubaï
Burj Khalifa
Ruggieri's recently established staff in the Middle East, following the opening of the Dubai office, created the first Ruggieri fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower.
2017
Paris
Eiffel Tower fireworks display
Ruggieri stages the Bastille Day fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower, a landmark achievement repeated in 2019, 2021 and 2022.
2023
Le Mans
Centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Ruggieri signs an exceptional nighttime show that will become the leading French example of performances combining drones, pyrotechnics, and video to highlight 100 years of racing history, innovations, and technological revolutions.
2024
Abu Dhabi
World records
During the Sheikh Zayed Festival, Ruggieri set three new world records in the Guinness World Records® using an extraordinary pyrotechnic display and drones.
France
Paris Olympic Games
Ruggieri takes part in the Olympic Torch Relay across France while also staging numerous Bastille Day fireworks displays in major French cities.