As the Harry Potter saga celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, a major immersive exhibition is coming to Paris this Friday, April 21, for several months. For children, but also parents, it’s now or never to play sorcerer’s apprentice. Here are the 7 must-try things at the Harry Potter Expo.
The famous wizard Harry Potter and theschool of witchcraft, Hogwarts, take up residence for more than five months in Paris. After conquering thousands of visitors in the United States, the Harry Potter exhibition finally opens its doors to the French public this Friday, April 21, 2023, at the Porte de Versailles in Paris. On the program: in a space of 3,000 m2, a totally immersive and interactive exhibition is dedicated to Harry Potter universeimagined by the British novelist JK Rowling over 25 years ago now. Decors, sorcerer’s costumes, fun and magical activities… Everything has been thought out to give the illusion to visitors, young and old alike. Families and children will thus be able to put themselves in the shoes of the wizard of their choice, by adopting his house, his magic and by winning the proposed trials. Among the magical experiences that await you, here are the 7 must-do things at the Harry Potter exhibition :
1 – Integrating your Hogwarts house
The first big step that awaits wizards from one day to the Harry Potter exhibition in ParisIt is choosing their Hogwarts house. As in JK Rowling’s books, visitors will be able to choose the house that really suits them, without the help of the Sorting Hat. They can thus become a Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff.
2 – Choose your Patronus and your wand
After having integrated their house, the young wizards of Hogwarts will have to decide on their patronus, the protective animal that can serve as a shield when the wizard needs it. Then it will be the turn of choice of magic wand, which will unfortunately not take place in Ollivander’s shop, but the experience will remain just as magical. Because you can choose Harry Potter’s wand, or that of Dumbeldore, Hermione or other famous wizards. Once this choice is made, the adventure can finally begin!
3 – Play the spy with the Marauder’s Map
Throughout the course of the exhibition, the wizards will venture into the places, the sets and in front of the emblematic objects of Hogwarts. Among them, on one of the walls, you will come face to face with the marauder’s map, a magic parchment that not only allows you to find your way around Hogwarts school, but also to know the movements of any wizard present in the area. Of course, since you are a Hogwarts student, your name will appear on the Marauder’s Map.
4 – Test your Quidditch skills!
A Quidditch pitch, the favorite sport of wizards, will be reproduced at the Harry Potter exhibition in Paris! Visitors can try their hand at throwing the quaffle (a volleyball) into the opposing team’s suspended rings. If you succeed, you will earn points for your Hogwarts house. Will you beat Harry Potter at this game?
5 – Prepare fearsome magic potions
Another interactive activity of the Harry Potter exhibition: the young wizards will follow their first potions lessonto prepare elixirs and other magic potions. It will be taught in the classrooms of Professors Snape and Slughorn. You will have to be serious and follow the magic recipe to the letter, otherwise your cauldron could well overturn everything or worse, explode.
6 – Go to the Forbidden Forest
Beyond Hogwarts, you can discover the surroundings of the school and in particular the famous forbidden forest. In this experiment, your Patronus may appear as well as other magical creatures, such as centaurs which are recognizable by their half-man half-horse body. Before the Forbidden Forest, you can also go to the hagrid’s hutthe gamekeeper of Hogwarts but also the keeper of the Keys and the Places of the school.
7 – Have a wizard’s duel (with you know who)
To keep a memory, the exhibition has reconstructed the final duel scene which pits Harry Potter against his lifelong nemesis, Voldemort, in the courtyard of Hogwarts. You will be able to take position like the wizards and have your picture taken in the middle of the fight.
Practical information on Harry Potter The Exhibition
The Harry Potter Expo takes place from April 21 to October 1, 2023.
Ticket prices
THE Harry Potter exhibition ticket prices are not the same depending on the day of the week.
- From Monday to Thursday : from 15 euros for children (from 3 to 15 years old), for adults the price is 19 euros.
- From Friday to Sunday: from 19 euros for children, and 25 euros for adults.
- open ticket (flexible ticket on the date and time of the visit): from 35 euros per person.
- Premium ticket (day and time of visit of your choice, with surprises offered): from 69 euros per person.
Location and times
THE hours of operation Harry Potter exhibition: Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The last visitors are received until 5:30 p.m. The exhibition is located at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles Pavilion 2.1 – 1 Pl. de la Porte de Versailles, 75015 Paris, France. More details on the harrypotter-exhibition.fr website.