The Olympic Museum’s newest exhibition is a 360° experience entitled ‘Paris Olympique™: An Immersive Journey,’ which opened in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Saturday, 25 May. Paris Olympique will guide visitors through large-scale projections of ‘La Ville-Lumière,’ or ‘City of Light,’ past and present.
Set to a thrilling musical score against the backdrop of Paris, explore the Olympic sites, the cultural and sports trends, the champions and the transformation of the Games from anonymity to the world’s greatest sporting event.
Paris Olympique will be presented at the Olympic Museum until 19 January 2025, at the Olympic Museum.
Paris in 360°
Paris Olympique isn’t your traditional museum exhibition – it’s an audiovisual show featuring minimal text and maximum immersion, accessible for all ages and language speakers. Located on the museum’s first floor, this circular immersive journey, guided by large-scale screens, music and audiovisual content, is organized around four themes:
1. Olympic sites
The three Olympic Games hosted in Paris have had a profound impact on the city’s landscape and its inhabitants. This theme explores how the Olympic Games and Paris have contributed to each other’s development over the past 124 years.
2. Sports and champions
The Olympic sports program is not stagnant; it reflects and even anticipates sporting trends in society. This theme spotlights the incredible athletes who have participated in these Games and some of the events, from basque pelota to rope climbing, as well as new sports like breaking, in which they have competed.
3. Identity
What have the Olympic Games become over the years? Explore the Games’ journey from anonymity to global fame across the three Parisian editions, from 1900 when the Exposition Universelle took center stage to the spectacular events planned of 2024.
4. Spectacle and culture
The Olympic Games are more than sports competitions – societal, artistic and cultural elements are an integral part of each edition. This theme explores Opening and Closing Ceremonies, artistic competitions, cultural events and the crucial contributions from the world of arts and culture to the Parisian Games.
Try out “extinct” Olympic sports
How would you rate as a competitor in early 20th century sports? The exhibition’s two interactive sports areas feature events that didn’t appear on the Paris 2024 program– or likely not in any upcoming edition in the near future. Visitors can virtually test their capabilities in the ‘200m obstacle’ swimming event from Paris 1900, in which athletes had to climb over a pole, climb over a row of boats, and swim under another row of boats.
For Paris 1924, visitors can rise to new heights by trying out rope climbing. Post-Paris 2024, as the competition heats up, medals are won and champions are born during the Summer Games, the Paris Olympique experience will be updated with the latest content.
Snap a selfie
After finishing the exhibition, head downstairs to the museum’s -1 level for a look at the Paris 2024-themed space. Don’t miss the photo opportunity with the French Olympic and Paralympic mascots, the Phryges, and pose while holding an official Paris 2024 torch. Be sure to check out the Olympic medal on display as well.
Paris Olympique will be open until 19 January 2025.
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