From September 15, 2026, to January 31, 2027, the Orsay Museum is hosting the exhibition "Auguste Bartholdi: Lighting the World with Liberty," complemented by a groundbreaking virtual reality experience centered around the iconic Statue of Liberty. After exploring the artworks on display, visitors can immerse themselves in the history, retracing Bartholdi’s journey from Paris to New York step by step.
Auguste Bartholdi: Liberty Enlightening the World — A New Exhibition on the Sculptor at the Musée d’Orsay
From September 15, 2026, to January 31, 2027, the Musée d'Orsay will showcase an exhibition dedicated to the Statue of Liberty and its creator, Auguste Bartholdi, a renowned 19th-century sculptor who collaborated with Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and Gustave Eiffel. [Read more]
Inside the Upper Gallery of the museum, visitors are transported across nearly 700m² into the heart of one of the most ambitious artistic and technical projects of the 19th century. You witness the birth of this monumental endeavor, which has evolved into a symbol of freedom and continues to inspire today — all while donning a virtual reality headset.
From Versailles in 1865, where the republican thinker Édouard Laboulaye sparks the idea of a monument celebrating Franco-American friendship, to Paris during the vibrant activity at atelier Gaget, Gauthier & Cie ten years later, and finally to the bay of New York in 1886, where the statue is finally unveiled — discover the human story behind the dream of this Alsace-born sculptor. Inspirations, technical hurdles, political and financial challenges, crucial alliances — all these elements shed new light on this legendary monument.
You will have the chance to explore the stories of Gustave Eiffel, journalist Joseph Pulitzer, and the workshop workers — a meticulously reconstructed building that no longer exists today — all through this immersive and scientific experience.
Dates and Opening Time
From September 15, 2026 to January 31, 2027
Location
Musée d'Orsay
62 rue de Lille
75007 Paris 7
Prices
- 26 ans: Free
Réduit: €11
Tarif plein: €14
Official website
www.musee-orsay.fr
Auguste Bartholdi: Liberty Enlightening the World — A New Exhibition on the Sculptor at the Musée d’Orsay
