Au temps des mousquetaires, the new immersive historical show at the Cité de l'Histoire

After the story of Victor Hugo, discover that of the Musketeers at the heart of the Cité de l'Histoire, in a new 360-degree immersive sound and light show, starting October 21, 2023.

In January 2023, the Cité de l' Histoire will open its doors in La Défense, offering a brand-new immersive museum dedicated to the history of France. A real journey into the past through life-size sets and an interactive frieze, but also a 30-minute show visible at 360 degrees, which plunges us into the life of a great character, between cinema and immersive show, a unique animation in the world that plays with the set elements. After Victor Hugo's autobiography, discover the story of the Musketeers on October 21, 2023!

La Cité de l'Histoire, an immersive experience in French history at La Défense
Ready to plunge into the great History of France? The first Cité de l'Histoire is opening its doors in La Défense's Grande Arche, with a fun, immersive tour of our shared past. [Read more]

This all-new show immerses you for a quarter of an hour in 17th-century Paris, alongside Gatien, a young cadet from Gascony, who joins the ranks of the Musketeers in 1627. Let yourself be transported on his journey by light projections where the characters come to life in shadow puppets, in a huge magic lantern. Between breathless chases through the streets of the capital, training at the Hôtel Tréville, games of paume at the Palais des Tuileries and social evenings at the home of the Marquise de Rambouillet, there's no room for boredom!

Immersed in the action, you can meet the Cardinal de Richelieu and discover the secrets of the era of King Louis XIII, as if you were there, until April 2024!

Our verdict:

Looking for a different experience from traditional outings? The Cité de l'Histoire offers a fascinating plunge into the era of the Musketeers. It's a particularly timely proposition for families, just as the film Les 3 Mousquetaire - Milady is about to hit our screens.

The show is also an invaluable complement for schoolchildren who, in history or literature classes, are already exploring this era through their textbooks. It's not unusual for them to have the opportunity to discover Les Trois Mousquetaires, and what a pleasure it is to be able to associate the text with such a modern visual and sound representation.

However, the experience is uneven. While some scenes, magnificently orchestrated, truly transport us to 17th-century Paris, others struggle to make us forget that we're confined to a small space, in a basement to boot. The contrast between the ambition of the show and the reality of its surroundings is sometimes striking.

On the other hand, the length of the show - just 15 minutes - can be frustrating. While the option of wandering around the auditorium offers an interesting interactive dimension, allowing us to change our perspective on the events told, we can only regret that this adventure comes to an end so quickly.

In conclusion, Au temps des mousquetaires is certainly an original and rich experience, but one that doesn't always manage to deliver on all its promises. It remains, however, a fine initiative for rediscovering a part of our national history in an entertaining and engaging way. An experience to be enjoyed with curiosity, and why not as a complement to a reading of Alexandre Dumas' famous adventures.