An immersive photographic exhibition on the fragrances of ancient Egypt
From Cairo to Paris: An exhibition spanning continents
Following on from the exhibition “ Fragrances of Ancient Egypt Through the Ages” presented at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo (2024–2025), the LabEx ARCHIMEDE* presented an immersive photographic exhibition at the Maison d’Egypte as part of the centenary celebrations of the Cité Universitaire Internationale in Paris and under the patronage of the Egyptian Embassy in France.
An innovative public-private partnership with Labex ARCHIMEDE
Unlike the exhibition in Cairo, this Parisian presentation was part of a public-private partnership between the Labex ARCHIMEDE in Montpellier and OLFY. This collaborative model has made it possible to combine the excellence of scientific research with the flexibility and innovation of the private sector.
This hybrid approach illustrates our technology’s ability to adapt to different institutional contexts and meet the varied needs of the cultural sector, whether in public institutions or mixed-sector projects.
A photography exhibition enhanced by scent
The photographic exhibition traced the fascinating history of perfume in Ancient Egypt through images and narratives, divided into three sections (aromatic plants and raw materials, the use of perfumes in daily life, and in funeral rites).
As in Cairo, the tour concluded with an olfactory virtual reality experience transporting participants to the heart of embalming rituals and religious ceremonies in Ancient Egypt. This virtual reality experience, comprising three immersive scenes, was accompanied by the fragrances of Myrrh, Lotus and Kyphi.
Our synchronised scent diffusion system thus enabled us to faithfully recreate the sensory atmosphere of the era, demonstrating the reproducibility and reliability of our technology.
A success that has exceeded expectations
Extension due to public enthusiasm
Originally scheduled to run for 15 days, the exhibition proved popular with the public and was extended by an extra weekend.
This innovative form of engagement attracted a wide range of visitors and proved a hit with people of all ages.
1,500 delighted visitors
Over the course of the exhibition, 1,500 visitors came to the Maison de l'Égypte to enjoy this unique experience. This remarkable figure for a short-term exhibition confirms the appeal of a multisensory approach to exploring historical heritage.
These visitors were able to discover that the history of Ancient Egypt is not limited to visual remains, but also encompasses an olfactory dimension that is essential to understanding religious practices and rituals.
Adaptability that makes all the difference
From the National Museum to the Parisian cultural centre
This Paris exhibition demonstrated our technology’s ability to adapt to different environments and scales. Having equipped the prestigious Egyptian Museum in Cairo for a three-month exhibition, we successfully transferred this experience to a more intimate setting in Paris, without losing any of its evocative power.
We supported LabEx ARCHIMEDE at various stages of the exhibition’s preparation and were on hand throughout to handle all technical and technological aspects, offering our expertise, responsiveness and know-how.
This flexibility is essential to meeting the varied needs of the cultural sector: from major national institutions to more modest venues.
The international reach of a French project
A showcase for French innovation
This dual exhibition, held in Cairo and Paris, has highlighted French excellence in three complementary fields:
- Historical and archaeological research with the Labex ARCHIMEDE
- The recreation of perfumes with Nez'bulleuse
- The creation and development of virtual reality content with Inod Solutions
- Immersive technological innovation with our scent diffusion solution
This project illustrates the ability of French stakeholders to create innovative cultural experiences that have an international reach.
Photo of the opening of the photographic and immersive exhibition
Towards new cultural collaborations
The success of the exhibitions in Cairo and Paris opens up promising prospects for incorporating the olfactory dimension into cultural and heritage projects. These experiences demonstrate a genuine public appetite for the opportunity to discover history through all the senses.
Our technology thus serves as a powerful tool for promoting research and making scientific findings accessible to a wider audience.
We are convinced that this multisensory approach will become a standard in modern museography, bringing lasting enrichment to the transmission of culture and heritage in their entirety.
Our technology thus serves as a powerful tool for promoting research and making scientific findings accessible to the general public. We are convinced that this multisensory approach will become a standard in modern museography, enriching the transmission of culture and heritage in their entirety for the long term.
*LabEx ARCHIMEDE programme France 2030, ANR-11-LABX-0032-01
The success of this Paris exhibition, which attracted 1,500 visitors in just two weeks, confirms our belief that olfactory innovation has a rightful place in contemporary cultural outreach and meets a genuine public demand.