Three leisure experiences to discover this fall in Paris

Focus on three leisure experiences, in virtual reality, e-sport or in the form of an exhibition, in Paris and its inner suburbs in fall 2024.

“The Impressionists” in VR, at Bercy Village

Since October 15, 2024, the immersive exhibition “An Evening with the Impressionists: Paris 1874” has been on offer at the Eclipso virtual reality center in Bercy Village, in 12^th district of Paris. For 45 minutes, wearing VR glasses, we move around a 1000 square meter room to explore this important period in the world of art, being mainly located in Paris, boulevard des Capucines (where the first impressionist exhibition), and by transporting itself to the port of Le Havre.

We take the time to discover the paintings of the Impressionists, such as “La Parisienne” (Renoir, 1874), “Impression, soleil levant” (Monet, 1872), “Gelée blanche” (Pissarro, 1873) or “La repasseuse” this evening. (Degas, 1869). The painters are presented in salons, and converse with each other during a guided stroll. We regret that certain transitions are choppy throughout the virtual film, but we appreciate the fact of being guided by a story, while walking through the places. Co-producer of the film with Excurio and Gédéon experiences, the Musée d'Orsay provided its expertise and offered the experience between March and August, attracting 80,000 participants.

“An Evening with the Impressionists” is offered, in headsets, alongside “L’horizon de Kheops”, launched in fall 2023 in Paris, and “Disappeared Worlds”, on the theme of paleontology, added in July 2024. Prices vary from 25 to 32 euros. “The new expedition targets a different audience, but when you know the center, you come back there. 90% of Impressionists spectators have already come to the site. Offering several immersive expeditions simultaneously is a technical feat, but visitors never cross paths since they are constantly moving”explains Arnaud Lefebvre, operating director of Eclipso Paris. During the autumn holidays, the center's activity increased by 75% compared to a typical period, and turnover by 90%.

Eva, in Montreuil

In Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis), Eva will catch the eye of e-sport fans… since it is the acronym for E-sport virtual arenas, a brand created in 2018 and which has developed through around fifty cinemas around the world (France, Belgium, Spain, United States, Bahrain, Malaysia), mainly through franchise. Players can compete in locations of at least 500 square meters. A recipe that pleases, since Eva generated 8.5 million euros in turnover in 2023.

In her new Montreal center, Eva has seen things big with several e-sport “arenas”, with competitive or cooperative modes, welcoming up to 10 players for 40-minute sessions (from 20 to 25 euros per hour), from December 5. Darts and a bar will complete the space, as will an 85-seat restaurant by Guru World.

Iconic, at Carreau du Temple

At Carreau du Temple, in 3^th district of Paris, the Oconnection agency launched “Iconic”, an exhibition dedicated to the years 1980 to 2000. The concept: a patchwork of these three decades, mainly 90's, in the form of paintings (Unes de The Team and of Liberationshoes, video game covers, etc.), extracts from video games and arcade games.

The idea is very nice, but at 20 euros for entry to spend around twenty minutes there, the experience is more expensive than with telephone card units (forgotten, by the way). Nothing to eat immediately (a snack is however present), not even Treets, but reconstructions of teenage bedrooms by But dot the space. The other half of the hall is occupied by a roller skating rink (rental costs 5 euros). To discover from November 10 to 1^is December.

Cover image: ChatGPT