– Benjamin Franklin
While France is a land of history, rich in its heritage, much of these stories remain unknown to the general public. We are convinced that the traditional museum must be rethought to address the widest possible audience. We believe that emotion and spectacle should serve pedagogy.
It is from this observation that Cités Immersives was born, founded in 2023 by Jean Vergès and Anthony Samama. We aim to use the power of immersion and new technologies to tell history with rigor, passion, and poetry.
In spaces of over 1000m2, Cités Immersives offers a spectacular sensory, visual, and auditory experience. Playing with cutting-edge technologies and captivating narration, Cités Immersives combines history and technology through historical settings, 360° video walls, and 3D musical devices.
In order to promote territories and decentralize the cultural offer, Cités Immersives aims to design, produce, and operate a network of immersive cultural spaces throughout France, dedicated to discovering the history of France and its local heritage. Each Cité Immersive is intended to become a place of life and culture, offering constantly renewed content, events, and cultural manifestations, in order to encourage the widest audience to appropriate our History.
The first Cité Immersive will open in Rouen on June 15, 2024.
Located on the banks of the Seine in Rouen, the Cité Immersive Viking will transport you to the heart of Viking history in Normandy. Through a rich journey offering a sensory, narrative, and playful experience, the Cité Immersive Viking showcases Scandinavian culture, its craftsmanship, sciences, mythology, history, and its fundamental contributions to contemporary French culture.
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We are convinced that knowledge of this history is a factor of cohesion and unity.
We want to set up venues in regional town centers, so that everyone, wherever they are, can benefit from cultural infrastructures.
We believe in immersion based on storytelling and show, but it is always accompanied during the visit by educational resources placed under the scientific direction of expert historians.
Today, the museum experience fails to reach the widest audience. We are committed to propose a new type of experience acessible to all.
Jean has a background in law, art history, and cultural management. He is a graduate of the Sorbonne and King's College. He has launched two companies in the cultural sector, driven by the same goal: to transmit a love of heritage through innovative solutions.
LinkedinAnthony is a graduate of HEC Paris and Sciences Po Paris. He founded a startup with l’Institut du Cerveau and then worked in a startup accelerator before joining the strategic direction of a hyper-growth company. He is elected Deputy Mayor of the 15th arrondissement of Paris.
LinkedinSophie has led a scenography and artistic direction agency for 20 years. She has designed several immersive experiences and directed large-scale projects in museums, cinema, and theater. She is passionate about French history.
LinkedinCaroline has a triple background in commercial law, art history, and cultural management from ESCP Europe. She has worked in cultural immersion with AGP, then participated in the creation of the Atelier des Lumières, where she became responsible for B2B & B2C sales.
LinkedinElizabeth is a graduate of King's College London in cultural management. She has worked for over 10 years in London and Parisian theaters, such as the Lido or the English National Opera, in production and artistic coordination for ambitious projects.
LinkedinHannah is an architect and urbanist with experience in both interior and exterior scenography projects. Her contributions to competitions in this field and to various artistic projects showcase her technical expertise and creative vision.
LinkedinAgathe is a set designer with two distinct experiences: one in a champagne house and another in the design of amusement parks. Her passion for creating gathering and sharing spaces allows her to infuse emotion into her projects while rekindling a sense of childhood wonder in visitors.
LinkedinLohengrin has been organizing exhibitions, fashion shows, concerts, etc., for 25 years. He has held leadership positions in major companies and participated in the launch of the Immersive Grand Palais as site and operations manager.
LinkedinAlice has a dual background in law and art history. Passionate about history and museology, she worked as a cultural mediator at the Musée du Louvre with the goal of bringing culture closer to the public.
LinkedinChloé is a Master's student in Cultural Engineering and Management. Her experience in communication and project management in the cultural sector enables her to successfully carry out creative and impactful projects.
LinkedinIsaure graduated from ESAG Penninghen with a degree in art direction. Passionate about art, she initially worked in a gallery before taking on art director positions in several companies. At Cités Immersives, she brings her expertise to innovative creative projects.
LinkedinHager is a project officer and set designer. After years working as an architect, she now specializes in scenography, where she leverages her expertise to create innovative and captivating spaces.
LinkedinLudovic Garnier, facility manager of the Cité Immersive Viking and founder of the 'Children of Rollon' association in Rouen, promotes Viking culture. A former military officer, he enriches Rouen's cultural offer with Viking events and projects.
LinkedinGwladys, as Marketing & Events Manager of the Cité Immersive Viking, combines creativity and strategy inherited from her notable experience with the Armada of Rouen. Her expertise contributes to enriching and promoting the unique identity of the Cité.
LinkedinMichael is the Administrative & Financial Manager of the Cité Immersive Viking. He oversees financial and administrative aspects. With his experience as an accountant, entrepreneur, and in the nonprofit sector, he ensures the proper management and development of the cultural establishment.
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