France. A major shift is looming for the Hôtel des Ducs de Bourgogne, in Beaune. The 14th century palace, which until now housed a Wine Museum losing attendance, has been closed for several months. At issue: the project to install there, by the beginning of 2027, an immersive City dedicated to the history of the Dukes of Burgundy, around the figure of Philippe Le Bon (1396-1467). Scripted narration, audiovisual productions, 360° videomapping… the Immersive Cities are structured around the same model, both fun and educational. For the private company, this establishment in Beaune marks a new stage in the development of a network that is still young, but in full expansion. After the success of the Cité Vikings in Rouen (180,000 visitors in sixteen months) then its recent establishment in Paris with the Cité des Fables de La Fontaine (110,000 visitors in three months) – organizer figures –, the operator has just inaugurated a new space in Nice, in a private premises located on the Promenade des Anglais which also presents the Vikings exhibition. “ It is a permanent place, but which is intended to host traveling exhibitions from the catalog that we produce, explains Jean Vergès, founder of Cités Immersives.
Room of dreams in the Immersive City of Fables in Paris. © David Morganti
Room of dreams in the Immersive City of Fables in Paris.
© David Morganti
A market limited to around ten cities Taking advantage of the great flexibility of its formula, the immersive lends itself to roaming, subject to suitable locations. “ We are looking for exhibition spaces of around 1,000 m² in the surrounding areas, in the city center, in cities of sufficient size. The objective is to welcome between 100 and 200,000 visitors per year, to achieve a break-even level of profitability, specifies Jean Vergès, who estimates the size of the market between five and ten cities in France. And at times, as in Beaune, there is a unique encounter between a place and a theme, which justifies creating content for this specific territory. » To transform the Hôtel des Ducs, the operator plans an investment of between 2.5 and 3.2 million euros, which includes the ongoing compliance work and the future scenography. A program which received the unanimous support of the municipal council (along with the agreement on an eighteen-year lease), apart from a reservation expressed with regard to the investors of Cités Immersives, among whom is the investment fund owned by the billionaire Pierre-Édouard Stérin, close to the Catholic and radical right. On the subject, Jean Vergès is categorical:“His role has always been strictly limited to that of an investor, without any influence on our editorial and artistic line! We are an apolitical company, committed to historical rigor.
» At the same time, Cités Immersives is working on other projects. That of a Cité sur le champagne in Reims, initially planned for January 2026, is on pause following the loss of the planned building. While the company is studying other possible sites, it is also focusing its efforts outside France. “ We are working on a fairly ambitious international project, confides Jean Vergès.
Erratum – February 6, 2026Contrary to what was published in JdA n°
670, the Cité Vikings in Rouen welcomed 180,000 visitors and not 120,000, and the Cité des Fables de La Fontaine 110,000 visitors and not 180,000.
