Immerse yourself in Ancient Egypt: a unique multi-sensory experience at the Cairo Museum
Visitors to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo between December 2024 and February 2025 will long remember their visit. During these three months, the exhibition Perfumes of Ancient Egypt through the Ages, conceived and produced by the LabEx ARCHIMEDE (ANR programme LABX-0032-01) and the Fondation Hiérolexique of the University of Montpellier Paul-Valéry, offered an extraordinary immersion in the scents of ancient Egypt.
Thanks to an innovative collaboration between Montpellier’s LabEx ARCHIMEDE, Inod Solutions, Nez’Bulleuse and OLFY, this unique experience combined virtual reality and olfactory diffusion to transport visitors to the heart of Egyptian civilisation.
A multi-sensory immersion into the heart of ancient traditions
Imagine yourself transported several millennia ago to the heart of Egyptian ritual and funerary practices. Four virtual reality headsets, equipped with our OLFY olfactory diffusers, plunge you into a world where every detail has been designed to awaken your senses. You’ll discover the sacred stages of mummification, accompanied by carefully recreated fragrances: Myrrh, Lotus and Kyphi. Then wander through a medieval garden before witnessing the cult of Isis.
This experience doesn’t just tell the story, it brings it to life! Virtual reality lets you explore meticulously reconstructed 3D environments, populated by iconic characters and objects that come to life before your very eyes. The lighting, textures and dynamic animations transport you into a world where past and present meet.
Collaboration between technology and historical expertise
Behind this feat lies a human and technological adventure. The project began with in-depth historical research by Hanane Gaber and Frédéric Servajean, Egyptologists at Montpellier Paul Valéry University. Their expertise enabled them to work with Sandra Reboullet (LabEx ARCHIMEDE Project Manager) to design a scenario rooted in historical reality, while remaining accessible and immersive for the public.
Inod Solutions then turned these ideas into interactive virtual environments, while Nez’Bulleuse created the historical fragrances that enriched the experience. Our OLFY devices put the finishing touches to this multi-sensory immersion, awakening the senses and amplifying the emotion of the virtual journey.
Award-winning experiment to be showcased at Laval Virtual 2025
This innovative exhibition has already attracted attention well beyond the walls of the Cairo Museum. Selected for presentation at Laval Virtual 2025, one of the world's leading events dedicated to virtual reality and immersive technologies, part of the exhibition will be on display at the XP5 stand. This recognition underlines the excellence of this collaboration between researchers, developers and sensory creators.
If you missed this adventure where past and future meet, come to Laval Virtual 2025 to discover this experience!
Get ready to experience history like never before. Ancient Egypt is waiting for you!
Would you like to find out more about our olfactory solutions? Contact us and immerse yourself in a world where emotions can also be experienced through the nose!