The entrance is on Place Jean-Paul II, just meters from the restored cathedral. Heading beneath the square, you enter a space where time feels suspended. The exhibition welcomes hundreds of visitors every day, eager to discover the story of Paris’s most iconic monument. The experience starts with a chronological presentation of the cathedral’s construction, brought to life through authentic heritage elements: statues, paintings, and pieces of goldwork. These objects set the scene before the virtual reality portion begins.

In the main hall, 25 HTC Vive Pro headsets are ready for visitors. The setup runs on Orange’s private 5G network, handling over six gigabytes of data per headset. “Éternelle Notre Dame” transports visitors to the 13th century, to the dusty streets of the cathedral’s construction site. The virtual reconstruction lets people explore Notre-Dame in full, from the foundations laid in 1163 to the ongoing restoration works. A virtual guide accompanies the journey through different eras. Every architectural detail was modeled from historical plans and laser scans taken before the fire. This level of precision allows visitors to explore areas normally off-limits, like the attic or the tops of the towers. Since reopening, the experience has gained a new dimension: visitors can now compare the virtual version directly with the restored reality, creating a unique dialogue between digital and physical heritage.

The project is a collaboration between Orange, Amaclio Productions, and the start-up Emissive, known for its immersive experiences at the Louvre. Getting the science right involved 25 expert historians, architects, and theologians, appointed by the Diocese of Paris and the public body overseeing restoration. Since January 2023, over 100,000 visitors have experienced the VR journey. Orange continues to donate all its revenue to restoration funds, supporting ongoing works around the cathedral.

“Éternelle Notre Dame” is also available for download on VIVEPORT, Meta Quest, and PICO, so that people can experience it at home through a VR headset. This shows how technology can enhance a heritage experience without replacing it and highlights a successful blend of tradition and modernity.

Come and discover, with unprecedented visual quality, the details of the Cathedral Portal. Enter the heart of its unique framework, immense like a forest, made from thousands of oak trees and rebuilt after the terrible fire of 2019. Learn the secrets behind its organ, and contemplate the magic of its stained glass windows. Finally, discover the history of its spire and the technical prowess behind its construction. 5 unique wonders in the history of Architecture and Art, celebrated by “Eternal Notre-Dame: Secrets” exclusively on Apple Vision Pro.