Résistants: our test of the immersive historical experience at Montparnasse

Paris, a name already rich in history, adds another feather to its cap with the latest creation from Les Sculpteurs de Rêves. After conquering the hearts of history lovers with Apaches de Paris and Gatsby à Nice, the troupe returns to the forefront of the stage with Résistants from October 2023 (and extended until June 29, 2024). And to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day and theJune 18th Appeal, Sculpteurs de Rêves is offering the experience at a reduced price (25 euros) on June 6 and 18, 2024.

This expedition transports you into the depths of the Second World War, allowing you to walk in the footsteps of emblematic figures of the French Resistance. Skillfully blending theater, realistic settings and hands-on workshops, this experience promises to be an intergenerational journey, both educational and fascinating.

• To be read
• Escape games and investigative games to discover in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
• Immersive theater in Paris, now and in the future
• Tips for the week of December 23 - 29, 2024 in Paris: free or cheap outings

Instead of being mere spectators, participants find themselves projected from 1939 to 1945, playing an active role in the re-enactment of this crucial period. From the historic June 18th call to the liberation of Paris, every key moment is carefully recreated. The experience is enriched by hands-on activities such as deciphering radio messages or distributing leaflets, guaranteeing a 1h30 immersion in the troubled times of the war.

Maël Magat, artistic director of Sculpteurs de Rêves, stresses the importance of experiencing history as if you were there:"For us, living through history and feeling its emotions is necessary to better understand it.Each performance will allow the audience to deepen their knowledge of the period, while having a good time with family and friends", he explains.

For his part, scriptwriter David Sabaté also shares this vision, hoping that the experience will inspire participants:"Talking about those years is always a challenge, so vivid is the memory of them. But by highlighting the heroism of these men and women from a new, immersive angle, we hope to inspire participants of all ages, while sharing our passion for history".

And what better venue for this immersion than a historic location in the heart of Paris? The experience comes to life in the former Musée de la Libération de Paris - Musée Jean Moulin, nestled above the Montparnasse train station. To get there (it's a bit complicated), enter the station, head for platform 1 and take the stairs on the left to climb up to the rotunda. Once at the top, turn right, then left.

Our test of the Resistants experience by Sculpteurs de Rêves :

An experience that the editors were able to try out. And we're not going to lie... We loved it! Once you're in, you're given your identity papers (you'll have a role to play, but it's going to change quickly, so don't worry about remembering the first bits of information you're given) and off you go for an hour and a half of intense, fun and particularly educational experience. The actors draw you into their world and guide you through every moment of the story, all with a fluidity that the expert troupe Sculpteurs de Rêves has the secret to.

It's an experience where you're part of the action from start to finish, moving from set to set as the story unfolds and as you need to evolve within the French Resistance. You'll even have the chance to meet some of the most famous historical figures of all time, including Raymond Aubrac and Jean Moulin. But beware of being arrested by the French police, who will not hesitate to question your identity.

As well as being an actor-spectator in this immersive theater experience, you'll also have to solve a few riddles and other activities, alone with your group or in the company of the actors. Create false identity papers, make "bombs", decipher secret codes... All the more reason to immerse yourself in history. Note that all the puzzles and processes are authentic and documented, inviting you to reproduce what the Resistance was doing at the time, particularly when it came to decrypting information.

We also particularly appreciated the fact that the puzzles to be solved are relatively simple, at least enough for everyone to be able to do them. This is quite well thought-out, and helps to break the fast-paced pace of the rest of the experience. Some of the more "theatrical" moments also allow for these pauses and provide real added value - historical this time - offering you an update on the historical events that shook the country at the time.

We didn't even notice the 1.5 hours of experience. And the best way, without a doubt, to learn the history of this period without breaking your head on pages of textbooks. We say go for it!

The experience is also ideal for Team Building and schoolchildren, who will learn more about history than they ever could in their textbooks... It's also a golden opportunity to rediscover this Parisian jewel while soaking up an essential part of French history. So, shall we make a reservation?