Vikings in Rouen: exhibition approved by 12 historians

Since its opening, the Cité Immersive Viking has been dedicated to offering a journey through Viking history, from their expeditions to their settlement in Normandy. This ambition is guided by a clear approach: to provide an experience that is both sensory, accessible… and deeply well-researched.

Our exhibition goes beyond spectacular visuals: it is built on a solid scientific foundation, ensured by the work of twelve historians and researchers specializing in the Viking era and the Western Middle Ages.

The historical content of the Cité Immersive Viking and its exhibition catalog results from a collective effort, bringing together French and European academics and researchers whose publications are considered authoritative.

Here are some of the contributors who ensure the rigor of the experience:

– Pierre Bauduin, Professor of Medieval History, specialist in Carolingian Western Europe and Scandinavia.

– Lucie Malbos, Senior Lecturer in Medieval History, author of studies on Viking raid representations.

– Vincent Samson, Historian of Scandinavian military techniques and Viking society.

– Jean Renaud, Emeritus Professor and author of numerous works on the Vikings in France.

– Alessia Bauer, Specialist in Scandinavian societies and medieval Iceland.

– François Neveux, Historian of Ducal Normandy and the Rollonid dynasty.

– Christophe Maneuvrier, Expert on Norman expeditions in the Mediterranean.

– Pierre-Brice Stahl, Researcher on Viking mythology and its contemporary reception.

– Élisabeth Ridel-Granger, Specialist in Scandinavian heritage in France.

– Victor Barabino, Historian of the Christianization of the Scandinavians.

Each article in the catalog revisits and expands upon themes explored in the immersive journey: Viking attacks, the figure of the “barbarian” in medieval sources, commercial explorations, the foundation of Normandy, and Scandinavian cultural influence.

The exhibition catalog, Vikings: Encountering the First Normans, published by Cités Immersives, condenses this research into a clear and illustrated format. It has a twofold purpose:

✅ To make the latest academic research accessible.
✅ To give visitors the opportunity to deepen their discovery beyond the immersive experience.

The book contains over 200 pages, featuring original contributions, reproductions of medieval sources, photographs of authentic artifacts, and detailed maps. It serves as an educational tool that places the Cité Immersive Viking within a rigorous scientific context.

Our approach is rooted in a humanistic vision of History:

“Rather than echoing the victors’ narrative, we dare to confront different perspectives and preserve nuance.”

As Jean Vergès, President of Cités Immersives, reminds us, the exhibition and catalog do not aim to glorify violence or indulge fantasies: they seek to reveal the complexity of Scandinavian societies, their contradictions, and their real legacy—far from clichés.

The catalog Vikings: Encountering the First Normans is available at the Cité Immersive Viking shop and in bookstores (ISBN 979-10-415-4726-5).
We invite you to discover it and explore the wealth of scientific contributions that enrich our exhibition.