The great exhibition
Dive into the depths of fascinating Egyptian civilization
Enter the magic universe of underwater exploration
Let us initiate you into the Mysteries of Osiris
In 2015, the Institut du Monde Arabe opened its exhibition “Osiris, Egypt’s Sunken Mysteries”, an exceptional exhibition revealing one of the founding myths of ancient Egypt by evoating what were the Mysteries of Osiris!
This unprecedented exhibition throws light on the discoveries by submarine exploration of the IEASM in Aboukir Bay, undertaken by Franck Goddio, director of the excavation and curator of the exhibition.
It reveals the incredible remains of the temples of Thonis-Heracleion and Canopus in which the most secret religious rites and processions took place, as well as highlighting numerous objects bearing witness to a cult that has completely vanished today.
Across this exhibition you can follow the famous nautical procession of Osiris from Thonis-Heracleion to Canopus that accompanied the god each year on his passage to the hereafter.
Osiris, Egypt’s Sunken Mysteries
“Osiris, Egypt’s Sunken Mysteries” is one of the highlights of the excavations directed by Franck Goddio in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities in the western part of the Nile delta. In a 1100 m2 display space, over 290 artefacts are presented. Most were discovered in the recent underwater excavations carried out by the IEASM, but they are augmented by some 40 splendid exhibits on loan from the museums of Cairo and Alexandria — rare objects which have never before been seen in France, and even some that have never been seen outside Egypt before. Thus, without exception, all the exhibits have travelled from Egypt.
The exhibition consists of three sections. The first presents the myth of Osiris and its protagonists. The second section is the most important, and consists of the archaeological sites and evidence for the ritual of celebration of the mysteries of Osiris. In the third and last section, the visitor discovers how the ancient myth has evolved over time and space, and how it was adapted at different sites, which explains the diversity of its representations.
A spectacular scenery of changing mood, colours and lighting, underwater photographs and videos, the objects discovered by the archaeologist divers at the bottom of the sea will be reflected in the masterpieces on loan from the museums of Egypt.
Visitor Information
Institut du monde arabe
Institut du Monde Arabe
1 rue des Fossés-Saint-Bernard Place Mohammed V
75236 Paris Cedex 05
Tel : 01 40 51 38 38
Information about the museum of the Institut du Monde Arabe, its library and its events can be found here:
www.imarabe.org
Opening Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10.00–19.00
Friday: 10.00–21.30
Saturday and Sunday: 10.00–20.00
Closed on Mondays
Ticket offices close 60 min before closing time.
Tip: Enjoy your visit in the less crowded hours from noon to 14:00 or after 17:00.
Rates / Ticket office
- Admission fees:
- € 15.50: Adults
- € 12.50: Groups of 20 persons and more, Teachers (with Pass Éducation)
- € 10.50: 12–25 years, Unemployed, RSA
Tickets can also be booked at:
Fnac | France Billet | Carrefour | Géant Casino | Ticketmaster | Leclerc | Auchan | Cultura | Digitick
Free entrance
Children under 12 years accompanied by an adult; accompanied disabled persons (identification required); holders of the following cards: the Society of Friends of the IMA, IMA annual passes, ICOM or ICOMOS cards, press cards, diplomats of Arab countries, card of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Documentation to be presented at the entrance.
Please note that free tickets do not include the audio guide purchasable at the entrance. Visitors holding free tickets have no priority over those who have bought their tickets in advance.
NB: The use of strollers is not allowed inside the exhibition.
Access
Métro Line 7 – Stops at Jussieu, Sully-Morland
Métro Line 10 – Stop at Cardinal Lemoine
Bus Line 24 : Stop at Saint-Germain Cardinal Lemoine
Bus Lines 63, 67, 86, 87, 89 : Stop at Institut du Monde Arabe
Taxi rank: Quai de la Tournelle
Tel: 01 43 25 92 99
Tel : 01 43 25 92 99
Vélib (municipal bicycle hire): 5020 - Pont de Sully/Rive gauche
Visitors with limited mobility
Two wheelchairs are available at the reception.
Guide dogs for the visually impaired are admitted.
ATTENTION: None of the subway stations near the IMA are accessible for UFR - users of wheelchairs. For individual assistance, contact the subway company, tel. 3246.
All bus stops within the vicinity are wheelchair accessible with the exception of bus stop "Institut du Monde Arabe" on bus line 67 in the direction of "Stade Charléty".
An exhibition created by the European Institute of Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) with the support of the HILTI Foundation and in cooperation with Artevia.
General Curatorship: Franck Goddio
Museographer: Martine Thomas-Bourgneuf
Scenographers: Sylvain Roca - Nicolas Groult
Executive Producers: Artevia
This exhibition in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities presents objects on loan from:
The Maritime Museum of Alexandria (objects discovered by the IEASM)
The Egyptian Museum of Cairo
The Museum of Antiquities of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
The National Museum of Alexandria
The Greco-roman Museum of Alexandria
Tickets can also be booked at:
Fnac | France Billet | Carrefour | Géant Casino | Ticketmaster | Leclerc | Auchan | Cultura | Digitick