Creation of the immersive audio-guided tour of the Aître de Saint Maclou

An Immersive Dive into History

L’Aître de Saint Maclou, located in Rouen, is a place steeped in history and mysteries, where the past meets the present in a captivating way. This ancient cemetery from the Middle Ages, transformed into a living cultural space, now offers a unique visitor experience thanks to Sycamore’s technological innovation. Through our audio-guided device “A-Guide” and our multimedia version in French sign language (LSF) “M-Guide”, visitors can immerse themselves in more than 600 years of history, told by emblematic characters such as “the Cat” and the “Gravedigger”.

Innovation in the Service of Cultural Mediation

The visit to the Aître de Saint Maclou is designed to be accessible to all, thanks to our “A-Guide” system which offers multilingual comments and our “M-Guide” which includes French sign language. This complementarity allows an inclusive approach, where each visitor can choose the mode of guidance that suits them best, whether audio or video with LSF interpretation. Our goal is to make culture accessible and engaging for everyone, while providing an immersive and enriching experience. Our interactive museum guides and digital museum tools make every visit memorable.

A-Guide: Simplicity and Efficiency

The A-Guide is an intuitive, easy-to-use audio-guided device designed to provide a smooth and enjoyable experience. Visitors can easily navigate from one point of interest to another, guided by lively dialogues and captivating historical stories. Available in five languages ​​(French, English, German, Italian, Spanish), the A-Guide allows an international audience to discover the treasures of the Aître de Saint Maclou. It is one of the best audio guides for museums, offering total immersion.

M-Guide: A multimedia experience in LSF

For deaf and hard of hearing visitors, the M-Guide offers a multimedia version of the visit, with commentary in French sign language. This device combines videos and animations of the cat, to make the history of the place accessible and understandable. By integrating LSF interpretation, we ensure that each visitor, whatever their situation, can fully benefit from the cultural richness of the Aître de Saint Maclou. This cultural heritage technology ensures in-depth understanding.

A Fruitful Collaboration with Aître de Saint Maclou

The immersive audio-guided tour project of the Aître de Saint Maclou was carried out in close collaboration with the site teams. The objective was to create a visiting experience adapted to a wide audience, from tourists to residents of Rouen. The narration is provided by two main characters, the Cat and the Gravedigger, who lead visitors through the different points of interest of the site, embellished with numerous historical anecdotes. This innovative technology for museum visitors transforms the experience for every visitor.

A fun experience for children

For the youngest, a special route is offered, guided by the character of the Cat. This journey is punctuated with riddles and challenges, allowing children to have fun while discovering the history of the place. This fun part of the visit is designed to capture children’s attention and make their experience as memorable as it is informative.

A rich and varied program

L’Aître de Saint Maclou has transformed into a real place of cultural life, with a rich program including guided tours, night tours, creative workshops and shows in summer. This initiative aims to attract a diverse audience and strengthen the attractiveness of the site as an essential cultural destination.

The Importance of Technology in Cultural Mediation

The success of the immersive audio-guided tour of the Aître de Saint Maclou illustrates the importance of technological innovation in cultural mediation. By combining state-of-the-art audiovisual devices with quality content, we were able to create an engaging and accessible visitor experience. This project also shows how technology can be used to enhance and preserve cultural heritage, making it alive and relevant for current and future generations.

Sycamore’s mission

At Sycamore, we are committed to improving the visitor experience of heritage and cultural sites through innovative guidance solutions. Drawing on our expertise and our passion for culture, we work closely with our partners to develop content and devices adapted to the specific needs of each location. Our mission is to make culture accessible to everyone, using technology to create immersive and memorable experiences.

Development of the Aître de Saint Maclou

The Aître de Saint Maclou is home to a multitude of fascinating historical points of interest, each telling a part of the rich and complex history of this place. Here are some of these points, highlighted in our immersive audio-guided tour.

The Macabre Dance

One of the most emblematic elements of the Aître de Saint Maclou is the dance of death sculpted in the courtyard of the building. These stone sculptures represent skeletons dancing with people from different social classes, symbolizing the equality of all in the face of death. Thanks to our audio-guided device, visitors can discover the history and meaning of these works, while admiring the artistic details that compose them.

The Mummified Cat

L’Aître has an intriguing mummified cat, discovered within its walls. This cat, believed to have been buried alive to protect the building from evil spirits, is a fascinating testimony to medieval beliefs and practices. Thanks to the explanations provided by our audio guide, visitors learn more about the true history of this cat.

Conclusion

The creation of the immersive audio-guided tour of the Aître de Saint Maclou is an emblematic example of how technology can enrich the visitor experience and enhance cultural heritage. Thanks to our “A-Guide” and “M-Guide” systems, we were able to create an accessible, engaging and educational tour, which highlights the fascinating history of this unique place. We are proud of our contribution to this project and continue to be committed to making culture accessible to everyone, everywhere.

For more information on our guidance solutions and content production services, do not hesitate to contact us. Together, let’s bring cultural heritage to life in an innovative and inclusive way.