The new sound tour of the Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Paris. Interview with Eric de Visscher

Abstract

This article presents an in-depth interview with Eric de Visscher, artistic director of the new sound tour at the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac in Paris. This new museum tour opened to the public in September 2024 and has been entitled “Les collections ont leur bande-son” (“the collections have their soundtrack”). Drawing on his experience gained at leading European museums, Eric de Visscher reflects on the challenges, possibilities and benefits of integrating sound into museum spaces. The discussion traces the project’s development, from preliminary acoustic studies and audience research to curatorial choices, sound design strategies, and ethical issues surrounding the sourcing and dissemination of intangible heritage. Emphasis is placed on sound as a collective, spatial, and scenographic element rather than a traditional audio guide, highlighting its role in mediating objects and reshaping visitor experience. The interview contributes to broader debates on sound, museography, and contemporary exhibition practices.