The Middle Ages are a particularly fascinating era: just think of kings and queens, walled castles, and gigantic stone cathedrals. Fantasy series, such as “House of the Dragon,” help us imagine this distant world, but sometimes it’s best to actually travel—even if only through virtual reality — and escape the urban chaos of São Paulo for a few minutes. That’s exactly what happens when, right in the middle of Paulista Avenue, you find an immersive refuge that transports you to the heart of Paris, inside the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Notre-Dame de Paris: Eternal and Sacred
8 August 2026 10:00 + more dates
Travel through eight centuries of history thanks to technology
In São Paulo, there are several incredible religious sites to visit, but Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of those dream destinations that not everyone gets to experience up close. With the immersive experience “Notre Dame de Paris: Eternal and Sacred,” you don’t need to buy a plane ticket or even leave São Paulo to immerse yourself in a journey through eight centuries of history, right from the CNP Virtual Reality Cultural Space, on the second basement level of Shopping Cidade São Paulo.
With a minimum duration of 45 minutes, you can get an up-close look at the key moments of this true masterpiece of Gothic architecture, which took about two centuries to complete. In a space equipped with virtual realitystations, anarrative that blends 3D images with a dramatic soundtrack—tailored to each stage—guides you through this experience.
So, get ready to stroll through the medieval streets of Île de la Cité, witness the passage of time from the Middle Ages to the tragic fire of 2019, admire the grand organ with its 8,000 pipes—restored after the fire—and explore areas normally off-limits. And the best part? You don’t need to be a history expert to appreciate this journey—just enjoy the combination of scientific accuracy and cutting-edge technology for a fully immersive experience.
And before you hit play…
Before hitting play on this immersive expedition, it’s worth remembering why Notre-Dame de Paris is so special. Considered one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in the world, it was built on the small Île de la Cité, in the heart of Paris, between the 12th and 14th centuries, surrounded by the waters of the Seine River. More than just a religious temple, this monument is a direct testament to some of France’s most important historical moments.
For example, it was there that Napoleon was crowned in 1804 and where Joan of Arc was beatified in 1909. Furthermore, this imposing building—famous for its towers, rose window stained-glass, and gargoyles — inspired one of the most famous works of 19th-century literature: “Notre-Dame de Paris,” also known as “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” written by the French author Victor Hugo. A classic that is still celebrated today and was immortalized in a 1996 Disney film.
However, one of the most dramatic moments in this history took place in the modern era. As we’ve already mentioned, in 2019, a tragic fire destroyed part of the cathedral’s roof and spire, leading to an extensive restoration process that culminated in its reopening to the public in late 2024. And this moment can also be experienced in the immersive expedition “Notre-Dame de Paris: Eternal and Sacred.”
Gateways to Other Worlds
Traveling to other destinations isn’t within everyone’s reach, but if you live in São Paulo, there’s no shortage of gateways to other countries, cultures , and worlds right on Avenida Paulista. On the second basement level of Shopping Cidade São Paulo, in addition to stepping back in time to medieval France, there are other equally fascinating and immersive experiences, such as:
- “The Horizon of Cheops” —where you can explore the iconic pyramids of Giza and discover Ancient Egypt
- “An Evening with the Impressionists” —to relive the movement that revolutionized painting
- “Vanished Worlds” —a journey spanning billions of years through the history of Earth’s formation, in a one-of-a-kind encounter with dinosaurs.
Useful Information
📍 Where: Shopping Cidade São Paulo, Avenida Paulista, 1230 – Bela Vista
⏰ Hours: Thursdays, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Fridays, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets: on sale via the Fever platform
