The Cité de l'Histoire

At the edge of Paris, under the Grande Arche de la Défense, experience a trip back in time with your family and discover some of the highlights of the History of Humanity at the Cité de l’Histoire.

Embark on a fantastic journey through time thanks to technological and ultra-immersive shows and attractions spread over 6,000 m². A unique opportunity to discover some of the key figures of French history and experience something new and exciting!

The Key to the Centuries immersive tour

The “Key to the Centuries” tour retraces the rich history of France for 40 minutes in 17 rooms. From scene to scene, guided by actors, allow yourself to be escorted through 12 centuries of history. An immersive 4 dimensional sensory experience voiced by Franck Ferrand. The office of General de Gaulle, the campaign tent of Napoleon 1st, the workshop of a carpenter in 1789… With great attention to realism, a dozen symbolic places are reconstituted, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the lives of powerful men, but also a snapshot of daily life working-class life in France.

Ellipse 360°

Mid-way between a film and an immersive show, Ellipse 360° invites you to step into the life of an emblematic historical figure. For 30 minutes in an arena, you can experience a visual and sound show with 360° video-mapping, on a 700 m² projection surface with an ancient decor.

After a first show dedicated to Victor Hugo, discover the history of the musketeers in a new sound and light show in total immersion. The ellipse 360° will give you a better understanding, through images and text, of the French history during the 17th century.

A chronological frieze: the time corridor

Take a trip down the time corridor and discover humanity’s secrets! The world’s major historical events scroll by on a giant digital and interactive timeline featuring 400 key dates. 26 freely accessible touch-screen terminals allow you to navigate through the centuries by displaying an animated illustration of the chosen date on the wall. Back to the past!

And also

The Cité de l’histoire also hosts the “Eternal Notre-Dame” virtual experience which allows visitors to discover this Parisian cathedral through a 45-minute journey retracing 850 years of history. The virtual reality tour invites you to follow in the footsteps of a Journeyman and takes you to the top of the towers with an incredible view of 13th century Paris and into the heart of the “forest”, the oak framework of the building, or into the middle of the nave with its magnificent stained glass windows. You will be taken behind the scenes in the life of this extraordinary building until the terrible fire of 15 April 2019, the devastation of which you will discover as you fly over the burnt-out roof. A very real and moving journey to discover the secrets of this monument!
The “Eternal Notre-Dame” virtual experience is also available on the square of Notre-Dame de Paris. The Espace Notre-Dame welcomes you from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 8 pm.

The Cité de l’Histoire has a shop, a bookshop and also a restaurant with free access for a gourmet break before or after your visit.