The interactive exhibition on the importance of forests and their impact on erosion, economy, leisure, and biodiversity was created by the Bordeaux scientific structure Cap Sciences. Designed in 2021, the exhibition educates on the causes of forest decline and explores solutions implemented by local communities in New Aquitaine. The exhibition highlights the role of forests in the region, covering 420 km of forest land.
As part of the exhibition, the National Forestry Office underscores the increasing preference for cork oak over pine in reforestation for its protective qualities. A variety of tree species are also being favored in the reforestation efforts.
Cap Sciences opted for a tactile, interactive, and playful approach to the exhibition, offering games in French and English to teach about forest and dune composition and history. Visitors can immerse themselves in mixed reality experiences using headsets at three sites: Seignosse, Lacanau, and the Coubre lighthouse.
The exhibition has sparked intergenerational discussion, with children discovering the phenomenon and older visitors sharing memories of past experiences with the dunes. The displays particularly impressed retired school teachers Veronique and Didier from Charente, highlighting the educational value of the exhibition.
There has been speculation regarding the inevitable demolition of the Coubre lighthouse, with visitors expressing interest in the timeline for the demolition. Despite the emotional attachment to the lighthouse, visitors are now focused on the impending reality of its removal, with the actual date still unknown.
