Continuing its commitment to innovation, the Paris Opera is joining forces with MEMORIST and Art Graphique & Patrimoine to launch the "Heritage Virtual Scene" project at the VIVA Technology fair (June 14-17, 2023, in Paris, at Expo Porte de Versailles). As a leader in the 3D digital technologies for cultural heritage, AGP will show its new technology offering an immersive experience on the stage of the Palais Garnier, aiming at renewing the market for audiovisual production and virtual reality.

The “Heritage Virtual Scene” innovation is based on a concept and enhancement of 3D “digital twins” of historical monuments or artworks, for the making and marketing of very high quality virtual sets. The AGP teams have digitised and reconstructed the main auditorium of the Palais Garnier in 3D. This “digital twin”, presented at the VIVA Technology exhibition, will allow visitors to take part in a fictional filming experience on the Palais Garnier stage, thanks to a mini studio with LED screens built on the stand.

Thanks to VR headset, visitors will be magically transported on the most famous stage of Paris. This experience is made possible thanks to a communication partnership between the Paris Opera and MEMORIST, as a concrete illustration of the fruitful relationship with one of the institutions which supports this new technology. This “Heritage Virtual Scene” innovation comes as an answer to important issues, including the preservation of cultural heritage, but also reducing the environmental impact of the audiovisual sector.

With a history spanning more than 350 years, the Paris Opera is renowned for the quality and diversity of its programming at the Palais Garnier and the Bastille Opera, and the unique architecture of its two theatres. With more than 400 performances presented each season, the Opera offers ballet, opera and concert performances, as well as a program dedicated to young audiences, and welcomes around 900,000 spectators each year.

A leading centre of expertise dedicated to heritage conservation, restoration, digitization and communication, MEMORIST is structured around a unique expertise that is undeniably recognized on the French market and a group that is resolutely turned towards international markets and present in nearly 100 countries. Memorist’s 240 experts deploy their knowledge, in France and abroad, to support museums, public and cultural institutions, private companies and NGOs. The alliance of traditional techniques and innovative technologies supported by human talents, allows the implementation of tailor-made solutions and large-scale projects. MEMORIST’s achievements in France include the restoration of 8th century scrolls, the 3D digitization of the Winged Victory of Samothrace at the Louvre Museum, the preventive conservation of Renault's heritage collections, the exhaustive digitisation of Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey and Notre-Dame de Paris, and an immersive experience at the Musée d'Orsay thanks to a virtual reality system.

Founded in 1994, AGP is one of five MEMORIST companies with the Living Heritage Company (EPV) label. With more than 30 years of experience in the 3D digitisation of historical monuments and works of art in France and abroad, AGP's teams have a strong expertise in this field. AGP is a pioneer in 3D digitisation, augmented reality and virtual reality for cultural mediation. For instance, in 2009 AGP developed the first mobile augmented reality prototype for the reconstruction of the decor of Charles V’s Cabinet at the Château de Vincennes. Its many achievements include the digitisation of Notre-Dame in Paris, the Château de Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel, the Pont du Gard, Krak des Chevalier and the city of Palmyra in Syria... and many other famous sites in France and abroad.