A playful audio-guided trail for children at the Château de Blois

A royal residence of the Loire Valley, the Château de Blois today houses a museum that plunges visitors into the history of the kings and queens of France. To make this experience accessible to young visitors, Sycomore designed a unique audio-guided trail, brought to life by a character as funny as he is historical: the Porcupine, emblem of King Louis XII.

The Château de Blois: a monument with a rich past

Built between the 13th and 17th centuries, the Château de Blois bears witness to the evolution of architecture and politics in France, with each of its wings reflecting the era of its construction. The Louis XII wing, built at the end of the 15th century, is adorned with the porcupine, the emblem chosen by the king to represent prudence and protection; it was there that he resided with his queen, Anne of Brittany. The François I wing, built at the beginning of the 16th century, marks the transition from the medieval period to the Renaissance, with its famous, richly decorated spiral staircase.

The castle was also the scene of dramatic events, such as the assassination of the Duke of Guise in 1588, ordered by King Henry III at the height of the Wars of Religion. Today, the museum lets visitors discover these intrigues while admiring art collections and richly decorated rooms.

The Porcupine: a playful guide for children

Featured in many of the castle's architectural details, the Porcupine is the perfect guide to tell the story to the youngest visitors. With his strong personality, he shares amusing anecdotes, plays with words and leads children through the castle's different eras, in a fictional trail where learning happens in a playful, interactive way.

The Audiopen: an innovative educational tool

To accompany this narrative trail, Sycomore chose the Audiopen, a smart pen which, thanks to optical identification technology, plays audio content when the child passes it over printed images, drawings or texts. The child then simply holds the pen to their ear to listen to the commentary.

Simple, sturdy and easy to use, the Audiopen comes with a map showing the icons to explore: each time the child brings the tip close to one, a new audio commentary is triggered. Children thus discover the castle at their own pace, without constant adult intervention.

An interactive, inclusive visit

At the Château de Blois, each commentary ends with a multiple-choice question. This quiz format keeps children's attention, and correct answers unlock additional anecdotes and information: learning becomes a game in which young visitors are actively involved.

The Audiopen is also an inclusive tool, particularly well suited to children with learning difficulties: commentaries can be replayed as many times as needed, so information can be absorbed at each child's own pace. By exploring the castle on their own, children gain independence and develop their curiosity and taste for history, all while having fun.