Photo : © GEDEON Experiences BackLight musée d’Orsay VIVE Arts
A Statue for Freedom, Bartholdi's Dream, from Paris to New York. An immersive virtual reality experience
Step inside a 19th-century workshop and witness the ambitious birth of a global icon through the lens of virtual reality. This immersive experience puts you right beside Bartholdi as he turns a copper dream into the Statue of Liberty. It is a brilliant way to explore the technical feats and human stories behind one of the most famous monuments in the world.
Musée d'Orsay (Paris 7th)
About
Experience the creation of the Statue of Liberty through an immersive virtual reality journey at the Musée d’Orsay. From September 30, 2026, to January 31, 2027, step into the shoes of sculptor Auguste Bartholdi and witness the monumental project from its inception at Versailles to its completion in New York in 1886. This historical exploration brings the Gaget, Gauthier & Cie workshop to life using cutting-edge technology. The experience is open to participants aged 8 and older, with a recommendation starting at age 13. Ticket prices range from 16 to 32 euros. Please note that the experience is not recommended for those with heart conditions or epilepsy.
This immersive production plunges visitors into the heart of one of the most ambitious artistic and technical projects of the 19th century. As the story unfolds, they become active witnesses to the birth of a Franco-American dream, which was transformed into a monument and remains a universal symbol of freedom today.
Equipped with a virtual reality headset, visitors follow in the footsteps of Auguste Bartholdi, a visionary sculptor driven by a dream bigger than himself. From Versailles in 1865, where the republican thinker Édouard Laboulaye inspired him with the idea of a monument to Franco-American friendship, to Paris, in the bustle of the Gaget, Gauthier & Cie workshop ten years later, and finally to the bay of New York in 1886, where the statue finally rises. Throughout the adventure, visitors discover Bartholdi's sources of inspiration, his technical, political and financial obstacles, but also the decisive alliances that made his dream possible: the engineer Gustave Eiffel, the journalist Joseph Pulitzer, the workshop workers and the anonymous donors on both sides of the Atlantic, all those who, together, gave a face to Liberty.
The result of scientific work, the project is based on extensive research and historical reconstructions. It offers a unique dive into the Gaget, Gauthier & Cie workshop, meticulously reconstructed by GEDEON and its partner Aristeas. The public discovers this place, which has now disappeared, and can appreciate its full scale: a vast space where nearly six hundred artisans and workers collaborated on the creation of the copper colossus imagined by Bartholdi.
Experience recommended for ages 13 and up, minimum age 8.
Please note that any virtual reality experience, given the technology used, is not recommended for pregnant women, people with heart conditions or those prone to epileptic seizures and migraines, as well as people with balance or vision disorders.
Unfortunately, for both safety and movement reasons, our experiences are not accessible to people using walkers or motorized wheelchairs.
For the comfort of your visit, manual wheelchairs can be made available and must be used independently or with your companion.
Our take on this event
The Musée d’Orsay invites visitors to explore the ambitious artistic and technical endeavor behind the Statue of Liberty. Through virtual reality, you follow Auguste Bartholdi's vision, moving from the initial 1865 inspiration by Édouard Laboulaye to the final 1886 installation. You will discover the crucial contributions of figures like Gustave Eiffel and Joseph Pulitzer, while exploring a detailed digital reconstruction of the Gaget, Gauthier & Cie workshop where hundreds of artisans labored.
The event runs from September 30, 2026, to January 31, 2027. Visitors are welcome on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 09:30 to 18:00. On Thursdays, the venue extends its hours, opening from 09:30 to 21:45. Tickets are available between 16 and 32 euros.
While open to anyone aged 8 and up, the experience is specifically recommended for those 13 and older. For safety reasons, electric wheelchairs and walkers are not permitted, though manual wheelchairs can be provided for independent use. Due to the nature of virtual reality, the experience is not suitable for pregnant women, individuals with heart conditions, epilepsy, migraines, or those with balance or vision impairments.
23°C
Weather forecast
Light rain
max +23 °Cmin +15 °C
