Ramsès et l'or des pharaons: the incredible exhibition at La Villette - last days

If you're one of the 1.42 million visitors to the Tutankhamun exhibition in Paris, you'll love this installation. For five months, our beloved capital will be hosting thetraveling exhibition " Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs " .

To be seen at the Grande Halle de la Villette from April 7 to September 6, 2023, this large-scale installation on the theme of Ramses II and gold offers us a wonderful journey through time and space. And the good news is that the exhibition has been extended until September 10. So don't miss the last few days of this fascinating exhibition!

The program for this exhibition, which has been validated abroad by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities? A unique experience exploring the life of Ramses II. A warrior who reconquered the lost lands of the Egyptian Empire, a negotiator of the most famous peace treaty in Antiquity, and a builder of Pharaonic Egypt, Ramses II continues to fascinate.

His life, reign and posterity are therefore the focus of this sublime installation, where visitors can admire objects testifying to the characteristics of his reign, of Ramesside Egypt, but also of the empire and its relations with the rival Hittite empire. Visitors are also immersed in the history of his ancestors, his grandfather Ramses I and his father Seti I, as well as his children, successors, policies and legacy.

Ramses II, who reigned for the longest period in Egyptian history(66 years), was responsible for the construction of such great monuments as the pylon of Luxor Temple, part of the Karnak temples, a temple at Abydos andAbu Simbel in Nubia. Ramses II, who died aged over 90, is also famous for having had several royal wives, including Nefertari and Isetnofret. He is also the only deceased monarch to have been received with the honors of the Republic, following his visit to France to combat a fungus that was altering his mummy in 1976-1977.

A fascinating life that the " Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs " exhibition invites us to (re)discover through the presence ofextraordinary objects dating from the Ramesside era, as well as various works of art, some of which come from Tanis, the " Thebes of the North ".

Gold, an essential commodity for the inhabitants of ancient Egypt, is also at the heart of this exhibition. In all, visitors to the Grande Halle de la Villette can admire 180 exceptional artifacts from the age of the Pharaohs.

They can admire animal sarcophagi and mummies, jewelry (necklaces, pendants, bracelets, etc.), royal masks, amulets, statues and other objects paying tribute to the remarkable skills of the Egyptians.

During this tour, divided into three main stages (the reign of Ramses II, the death of Ramses II and his extraordinary posterity, and the gold of the pharaohs), the public marvels at several emblematic works such as a limestone colossus showing Ramses II standing and holding the mekes, a cylinder used as a box for papyrus. This is the first time this work has been shown outside Egypt!

Other exceptional pieces to be discovered at this exhibition? An incredible necklace of gold and inlaid gems, weighing over 8kg; a mask of General Oundebaounded, who served Psusennes I in Dynasty XXI; the coffin of King Chechonq II of Dynasty XXII, meticulously restored, a colossal head in pink granite discovered in 1888 at Memphis in the Temple of Ptah, not forgetting a statue representing Ramses II in an offering position, a granodiorite bust of Ramses II discovered in the Temple of Amun at Tanis, and a mirror belonging to Princess Sathathoriounet.

• To be read
• Exhibitions about ancient Egypt to see in Paris and Ile-de-France
• Ancient Egypt: treasures from the Pharaohs to enjoy in Paris
• Tips for the week of November 25 to December 1, 2024 in Paris: free or inexpensive outings

But the centerpiece of the " Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs " exhibition is undoubtedly the pharaoh's painted cedarwood sarcophagus. Ramses II's coffin is on loan to France for the first time in 45 years. Emotion guaranteed!

These prestigious pieces are sure to attract many curious onlookers to this new exhibition celebratingEgyptian antiquity.

So, will the " Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs " exhibition beat the attendance record currently held in France by Tutankhamun?

Note that the exhibition is also accompanied by a VR experience (extra charge: 15 euros) where you can discover the most impressive monuments of Ramses II: the Abu Simbel temples and Queen Nefertari's tomb. The exhibition also offers an audioguide (7 euros), with some twenty audio capsules, rich in explanations.