Harry Potter: L’Exposition, a wonderfully interactive and striking replica of the Harry Potter world, opens today at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The exhibition begins by registering your name, choosing a Hogwarts house, wand, and patronus that are linked to a bracelet which is scanned throughout the exhibition to track your movement and progress through the show. After a walk through the Marauders Map where one’s own footprints can be seen moving in real time, and then onward into the iconic Hogwarts corridors lined with magically moving paintings, the fun begins! Each room takes the visitor into a visually immersive (and photo-op friendly) chapter in the story’s saga and invites one to participate in various wizarding activities.
In defense against dark arts class there are armoires with bobbling clowns and life-size spiders which are only defeated by casting a perfectly executed, “Expectrum Patronus!” 10 points to Gryffindor! Continue through to the cozy, eccentrically decorated room that is none other than Professor Trelawney’s Divination class, where one’s fortune awaits to be read in a crystal ball. In Potions class, test your alchemy skills by whipping up a love potion or truth serum (pick your poison!) in a bubbling cauldron. There is even a perfectly pink replica of the detestable yet undeniably memorable, Professor Dolores Umbridge’s office. How clearly in your head can you hear Professor Umbridge’s high pitched voice in your head repeating “I must not tell lies!”? Those are a small few of the many more delightful and sometimes dark parts of the Harry Potter world that the exhibition invites the visitor to see.
Alongside the games and decor there are many original movie costumes on display, including Hogwarts uniforms, Dumbledore’s cloak and hat, Hermoine’s pink hoodie, and Sirius Black’s green velvet jacket.
Lastly, exit through a gift shop with all the merch one’s heart desires to bring home a piece of Harry Potter:L’Exposition. For all who’ve watched or read Harry Potter and wished they had the chance to step inside Rowling’s magical universe, kids and adults alike, this exposition is for you.
Harry Potter: L’Exposition is on from April 21st at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Tickets available at https://harrypotter-exposition.fr/
