Hangar Y: An Immersive Experience in Meudon

Located in the Domaine National de Meudon an hour outside of Paris, Hangar Y was the world’s first airship hangar. After undergoing major restoration work and reopening to the public in 2023, Hangar Y is now a cultural and artistic epicenter, as well as a showroom for businesses, which can privatize the space for conferences and events, car shows, fashion shows, and more. The forest grounds invite discovery and contemplation and are a space where nature and art live in harmony; the hangar itself is a piece of living history, where visitors can learn about the groundbreaking role of French airships and war balloons, walking in the footsteps of the engineers who designed these airships. Easily accessible by public transportation, Hangar Y is the perfect place to spend a day with family or friends. 

History of Hangar Y and the Immersive VR Experience

Hangar Y was built in the 19th century on an old military plot, where Building Y once stood (hence the name Hangar Y). During construction, architects and engineers used pieces from the 1878 World Fair’s “Gallery of Machines,” which was made of the iron and arches we often associate with the Eiffel Tower, built only a few years later for the 1889 World Fair. Hangar Y was the first airship hangar in the world and saw the historic flight of La France in 1884. Before then, no airship had successfully flown. 

Until the end of World War I, Hangar Y continued to build airships and military balloons. In 1921, the site became an aeronautics museum, which was later moved to Le Bourget. Once the museum closed, Hangar Y was rarely used, though Marc Chagall memorably took it over during his creation of the Opéra Garnier ceiling.  

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hangar Y (@hangar_y_)

Hangar Y was abandoned for 40 years before being renovated and reopened to the public in 2023. Classified as a historical monument, some of its history remains today: Hangar Y sits within the Domaine du Château Royal de Meudon, a castle which was destroyed by several fires. The hexagonal Chalais basin and portions of the garden imagined by André Le Nôtre, who was Louis XIV’s landscape designer, have been restored and offer a beautiful view from the hangar. 

One of the highlights of Hangar Y today is undoubtedly the immersive virtual reality experience “L’Épopée du Hangar Y.” This 30-minute VR adventure tells the story of Hangar Y and the making of La France. Throughout the experience, participate in interactive quizzes, ask the characters questions, and witness La France’s flight on August 8, 1884. Perfect for adults and children alike! 

Exhibitions, Shows, and Workshops

With a focus on multidisciplinary experiences, Hangar Y proposes activities like concerts, art exhibitions, dance and circus performances, hands-on workshops, film showings, and more. The current exhibition, “Contre l’écorce” by artist Jean-Baptiste Née, invites viewers to look at nature in a new way. Using various painting techniques, Née essentially printed the forms of rocks and boulders onto canvases. As viewers, we get an uninhibited view of the erosion, rainwater, and other natural phenomena that have affected these rocks, making for a truly unique experience. “Contre l’écorce” runs until August 30th, and a new exhibition will begin in October, this time featuring 100 never-before-seen photos from photographer Brassaï. 

For children ages five and up, the “Sens dessus, dessous” atelier introduces kids to the joys of art, using the five senses to explore different types of art. The workshop takes place in a house called Jalsa designed by Indian artist Subodh Gupta, who used pots, utensils, and other kitchenware to build Jalsa. The workshop is largely inspired by this idea of the kitchen, where we constantly use the five senses and where experimentation and curiosity are encouraged. Through this workshop, which runs on Saturdays and Sundays until August 30th, kids can expand their imaginations and gain a better appreciation for contemporary art.  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hangar Y (@hangar_y_)

Outdoor Experience

Hangar Y is located in the Domaine National de Meudon and owns 10 hectares of land, throughout which they’ve installed sculptures, walking trails, and picnic areas. Check out the ruches, or bee houses, and participate in beekeeping workshops. Stroll through the forest while listening to the peaceful sounds of the parcours de son, an immersive sound walk that combines the sounds of insects, wildlife, and wind chimes. Stop by the playground for the little ones, and discover the 25 pieces of art scattered across the grounds, including along the walking path, in the forest, and even in the water. This open-air exhibition is renewed every year, so there’s always something new to see. 

After this nature promenade, grab a bite to eat at the restaurant Les Roseaux, where you’ll have an unmatched view of the Chalais basin and garden. Or, for a more picnic-like feel, check out the guinguette, which is open from April until September and offers more casual fare, along with DJ sets on Fridays and Saturdays. Sit on the docks by the water and admire the view, or rent a boat to glide around the basin. 

Practical Information

Hangar Y is open year-round from 11am-7pm, but is open to the public only on weekends, holidays, and during school vacations in Zone C. All the buildings are wheelchair accessible, and restrooms are available near the entrance of the park and by the playground. The restaurant and guinguette have separate opening hours, which can be found on Hangar Y’s website. You can reserve your experience by visiting Hangar Y’s online ticket office. 

Address: 9, avenue de Trivaux, 92190 Meudon. Accessible via car, bike, or public transportation.