Creating the immersive audio tour of the Aître Saint-Maclou

The Aître Saint-Maclou, located in Rouen, is a place steeped in history and mystery. This former medieval cemetery, transformed into a vibrant cultural space, now offers a unique visitor experience: thanks to the A-Guide audio tour device and its multimedia version in French Sign Language, the M-Guide, visitors immerse themselves in more than 600 years of history, narrated by two emblematic characters, the Cat and the Gravedigger.

Innovation in the service of cultural interpretation

The tour of the Aître Saint-Maclou is designed to be accessible to everyone. Each visitor chooses the guiding mode that suits them best, in audio or in video with French Sign Language interpretation:

• A-Guide: an intuitive, easy-to-use audio guide device that makes it simple to move from one point of interest to the next, guided by lively dialogues and captivating historical narratives. Available in five languages (French, English, German, Italian, Spanish), it opens the site's treasures to an international audience.
• M-Guide: for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors, a multimedia version of the tour with commentary in French Sign Language, combining videos and animations of the Cat to make the site's history accessible and easy to understand.

Close collaboration with the site's teams

The project was carried out in close collaboration with the teams of the Aître Saint-Maclou, with the aim of creating an experience suited to a broad audience, from tourists to the residents of Rouen. The narration is delivered by the Cat and the Gravedigger, who lead visitors through the site's various points of interest, enriched with numerous historical anecdotes.

For younger visitors, a special trail is offered, guided by the character of the Cat. Punctuated with riddles and challenges, this playful component lets children have fun while discovering the history of the site.

Fascinating points of interest

The Aître Saint-Maclou is home to a multitude of historical points of interest, highlighted throughout the audio tour:

• The danse macabre: carved in the building's courtyard, it depicts skeletons dancing with figures from different social classes, symbolising the equality of all in the face of death. The audio guide reveals its history and meaning, while drawing attention to the artistic details.
• The mummified cat: discovered within the walls of the Aître, this cat, believed to have been buried alive to protect the building from evil spirits, bears witness to medieval beliefs and practices.

A true hub of cultural life

The Aître Saint-Maclou has become a fully fledged hub of cultural life, with a rich programme including guided tours, night-time visits, creative workshops and summer performances. This initiative aims to attract a diverse audience and strengthen the site's appeal as an essential cultural destination.

The success of this immersive tour illustrates the importance of technological innovation in cultural interpretation: by combining cutting-edge devices with high-quality content, technology showcases and preserves heritage, bringing it to life for current and future generations.