New XR Experience at Palace of Versailles to Bring History to Life

In a new partnership with France’s Firstep Production, Israeli firms Yaturu and Yalla Digital are debuting an extended reality (XR) tourism experience at the Palace of Versailles.

The installation, titled “Light of Liberty,” utilizes XR headsets to transport visitors back to the eighteenth century.

Distinguishing itself from standard virtual reality, this extended reality experience enables tourists to navigate physical space alongside historical figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, all while being immersed in scenes of naval warfare and clandestine diplomacy.

“Visitors do much more than just learn about the alliance between France and America; they feel it with their entire being, through every movement,” stated Udi Regonis, CEO of Yaturu. “The XR experience we have engineered allows guests to stay connected to the physical grandeur of the palace while engaging with an interactive layer that breathes life into history.”

The project, which encompassed content creation, game design, and full production, was developed in just six months. Executing the project requires a sophisticated operational framework to manage high tourist volumes, hardware distribution, and staffing.

The prestigious nature of the Palace of Versailles adds a layer of complexity to the project’s logistics.

“This is a living, renowned, and sensitive site where every element of the experience must meet exceptionally high international standards,” noted Shlomo Balas, Yaturu’s VP of Production and Content and the experience’s director.

“From a creative standpoint, spatial storytelling introduces a completely new narrative dimension. It requires us to ‘step outside the frame’ to build a story that unfolds within physical space, allowing visitors to move, make choices, and discover the experience organically,” Balas added.

Developed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence and the Franco-American alliance, the project also serves as a milestone for Israeli technological innovation, demonstrating the reach of high-tech expertise beyond traditional software development.

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