Have you always dreamt of traveling through time? Now it's possible at the City of History! Just like a real time machine, the new attraction at the Arche de La Défense allows us to experience the past centuries in a fun and slightly magical way.
The concept? A unique technological place dedicated to the history of France and open to everyone. Initially, François Nicolas, president of Amaclio Productions, and Franck Ferrand, a renowned historian known for his TV appearances, wanted to create an immersive cinema about history. But when they saw the potential of the location, creating a true City of History to share the passion for this subject with as many people as possible became an obvious choice.
Immersive attractions that plunge you into the past
The visit begins with "La Clef des siècles", a life-size immersive journey that takes us back 1500 years. From Édith Cresson to Charlemagne, Jeanne d'Arc to Napoleon Bonaparte, almost all of them are there. Like a real time traveler, we find ourselves sometimes in the shoes of a student in 1905, sometimes immersed in a coal mine, or in the midst of a Norman invasion.
In the style of the most famous amusement parks, every setting, every sound, every smell, and every character we encounter takes us on a true journey through the history of France.
We then continue our journey with "Le couloir du temps", a giant chronological timeline that allows us to (re)discover the greatest moments in international history. Just choose a date on the tabs...Letters to see a multitude of animated images appear on the screen, corresponding to significant events in History. Nearly 400 dates have been gathered to take you on a true world tour... through time.
A 360-degree video mapping show in an ellipse
This is certainly the most spectacular attraction of the City of History. In the heart of a 360-degree ellipse, we discover an absolutely fantastic sound and light show that brings a key moment in human history back to life. The first scene takes us to discover the life of the illustrious Victor Hugo. Through the soft voice of Benoît Allemane, who is none other than the French dubbing voice of Morgan Freeman, Victor Hugo tells us about his life and misadventures, while teaching us a little more about the 19th-century revolutions.
Every 6 to 8 months, we will have the chance to discover a new show, and our little finger tells us that the next ones could be about Charlemagne or even the pharaohs of Egypt... Stay tuned.
Before leaving, we don't forget to take a look at the immense bookstore-boutique, where history books, board games, and other curiosities await us. A restaurant with a friendly and warm atmosphere also awaits visitors, to make the pleasure last.
As you may have understood, the City of History is the must-visit place for history lovers. Whether you are passionate, with family, a student, or just curious, go ahead, you won't be disappointed.
Citéute; de l'History
Under the Great Arch of La Défense
1, Place de la Défense - Puteaux
Open from Tuesday to Sunday
Price: starting from 18.99€ - Free for children under 7 years old
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