With their weapons and longships, the Vikings captivate both young and old. Starting in spring 2024, it will be possible to learn more about this fascinating civilization by visiting the Viking Immersive City in Rouen. Here's what we already know about this educational and fun experience for the whole family.
The Viking Immersive City, set to open in Rouen in spring 2024, is a 1000 m² space entirely dedicated to the fascinating history of the Vikings in Normandy.
This venue will be located on the banks of the Seine at 105 Allée François-Mitterrand, less than 2 km from the iconic Rouen Cathedral. It will be France's first immersive city, a spectacular cultural site designed to showcase French history and local heritage.
This immersive experience will honor Scandinavian culture, mythology, Viking history, and craftsmanship, while highlighting the contributions of this civilization to today's French culture. The project has been developed under the scientific direction of Vincent Samson, a historian specializing in medieval history and Scandinavian philology.
The Viking Immersive City utilizes cutting-edge technologies to immerse visitors in a sensory and narrative experience that is both educational and entertaining.
Whether you are a history enthusiast or not, you will be able to explore the world of the Vikings through innovative devices such as:
• 360-degree video projections;
• video-mapped installations;
• a Lossonante listening system;
• specialized 3D sound immersions;
• monumental and interactive sets.
Through these various installations, visitors will become active participants in their journey and will have the opportunity to manipulate objects and digital tools.
This interactive scenography, resembling an escape game, will provide a wonderful setting for authentic Viking artifacts, which constitute the true heritage treasure of the Viking Immersive City.
French or international tourists are mostly familiar with the city of Rouen for its famous cathedral. Thanks to the Viking Immersive City, they will be able to discover an unknown aspect of local history.
The tour consists of 5 thematic rooms complemented by a 360° video mapping room for a total immersion in the world of the Vikings.
During this visit, which lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes, visitors will relive the great Viking invasions, the baptism of Rollo in Rouen in 911, and the signing of a peace treaty with Emperor Charles the Simple: historical events that paved the way for the creation of the Duchy of Normandy!
They will learn that the Vikings left a legacy in this part of France that is still present in the very name of the Normans. In addition to this permanent exhibition, a rich program will animate the life of this new city throughout the year.
The Immersive Viking City of Rouen is only the first cultural site of its kind. Eventually, the company Cités Immersives aims to create various places to discover the history of France and local heritage in a fun way.
This company plans to open about ten such spaces in the French regions, to offer a real Tour de France of local heritage. These immersive experiences are intended to shed new light on entire chapters of the history of France, its legends, and its heroes.
Among the projects under consideration, a city dedicated to the Lumière brothers could be created in Cannes, a city devoted to champagne might open its doors in Reims, and another dedicated to Joan of Arc could be established in Orléans.
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