Unframed Collection is a partner of Numix Lab, a touring event in Europe that every year brings together professionals and experts in immersive creation to meet the cultural centres of the host countries. In 2024, Germany welcomed 250 people, with an intense week of exchanges and discoveries between Munich, Leipzig and Berlin! To mark the occasion, we met Catherine Erneux, Development and partnerships manager, at the Centre des Monuments Nationaux (CMN).

Catherine Erneux: My name is Catherine, and I work for the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, an institution that manages around a hundred monuments across France, including Mont Saint-Michel, the Arc de Triomphe, and Sainte-Chapelle. I am based at the headquarters in Paris.

Can you give us examples of immersive experiences that you have co-produced, commissioned, or developed?

C. E. – The Centre des Monuments Nationaux has collaborated with various studios to develop immersive experiences. For example, we worked with Lucid Realities on Archive VR to create a virtual reality experience based on the Villa Savoye. We also participated in the Lady Sapiens project and collaborated with Timescope. Additionally, we use the HistoPad, an interactive device that offers an innovative way to explore the Conciergerie. These projects illustrate our commitment to exploring different formats of immersive and augmented experiences.

In your opinion, how do immersive and digital technologies enhance the heritage sites you manage?

C. E. – Immersive technologies provide a new way to showcase heritage, particularly by allowing the reconstruction of lost or inaccessible elements. They are especially useful for archaeological sites or monuments that have suffered damage, as they enable visitors to visualize their original state through virtual reality and other digital tools.

C. E. – These technologies also help us reach a broader audience, attracting visitors who might not usually engage with our heritage sites. We are actively studying this impact, and several research projects are currently underway on how these experiences contribute to audience diversification. This is one of the main reasons why we continue to explore and invest in these initiatives.

Can you tell us about an international project you have worked on?

C. E. – The Centre des Monuments Nationaux responded to a call for projects on the digitization of architecture and heritage, launched by the Caisse des Dépôts. As a winner of this initiative, we developed CMN Numérique, a program designed to enhance the digital representation of our monuments.

C. E. – As part of this program, we expanded the digital experiments conducted during the COVID period, particularly through remote guided tours. We developed virtual tours using 360° photography and video, specifically designed for audiences who may not be able to visit the monuments in person. These tours are always led by a CMN mediator.

C. E. – We also collaborate with startups such as Mira and My Tour Live. My Tour Live specializes in 360° video tours, while Mira has created a hyper-realistic digital replica of the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau in a metaverse. This project allows us to explore the concept of a “digital twin” of a monument and experiment with its potential applications.

Attending the Numix Lab

C. E. – One of my main objectives is to conduct technological research and discover the latest innovations in digital and immersive experiences. It is also a valuable opportunity to meet other institutions and international studios and gain insights into their digital strategies.

C. E. – At CMN, we have a clear vision of digital development, particularly through the CMN Numérique program, but it is always beneficial to see how other industry players experiment with these technologies, set their priorities, and allocate their budgets. This is an exciting process that helps us refine our own approach and anticipate future developments in the field.