World first: Brussels museum to host immersive Napoleon exhibition

World first: Brussels museum to host immersive Napoleon exhibition
Credit: visit.brussels / urban.brussels

The Royal Military Museum in Brussels will be the first in the world to host the 'Napoleon, The Immersive Saga' exhibition. This ambulatory virtual reality experience dives into the emperor's life and legacy.

The Brussels museum located in Parc du Cinquantenaire in the European Quarter will welcome the world premiere of the virtual immersion. The show will open on 16 February and run until 17 August 2025. Combining technological innovation and historical accuracy, this first creation by Sandora offers a captivating insight into the Napoleonic adventure.

"With 'Napoleon, The Immersive Saga', we wish to bring history to life in a spectacular and enriching way," said Marin de Saint Chamas, founder of Sandora. "We offer audiences an intimate view of Napoleon's life, exploring his legacy that still influences our society today."

An exhibition will be set up by the Royal Military Museum introducing the event and presenting authentic objects from the museum's collections, including weapons, uniforms, paintings and personal items of Napoleon. These aim to offer historical context before people enter the immersive experience.

Ensuring authenticity

Equipped with a virtual reality headset, visitors wander around a 60-square-metre space for 27 minutes to discover the distinctive sites and turning points of the First Empire.

"As Napoleon narrates, everything comes to life: the staff meeting on the eve of the battle of Austerlitz, a cavalry attack by the cuirassiers of the Guard, climbing the steps in the Vendôme column, the icy atmosphere of the Berezina, and the final journey to Saint Helena," a visit.brussels press release said.

To ensure the authenticity of the experience, a scientific committee of renowned experts collaborated on the project. These include the Fondation Napoléon with Thierry Lentz, historian and director of the Rueil-Malmaison heritage sites and the Musée de la Légion d'honneur et des ordres de chevalerie.

The inauguration of 'Napoleon, The Immersive Saga' on 16 February will be accompanied by a Family Day at the Royal Military Museum, including activities, creative workshops, thematic visits and a photo booth.

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