An enchanted discovery of the Château du Rivau with the Audiopen

Located a few kilometres from Chinon, in the heart of the Loire Valley, the Château du Rivau is a treasure of French medieval heritage: thanks to Sycomore's Audiopen, visiting it becomes a playful, interactive and fully self-guided experience.

A castle full of stories and legends

Built in 1420, this fairy-tale castle was given as a dowry by Anne de Fontenay upon her marriage to Pierre de Beauvau, grand chamberlain to Charles VII. Its history is closely linked to the Hundred Years' War: Pierre de Beauvau was a close adviser to Charles VII, and it is possible that Joan of Arc herself visited the site before leaving for the siege of Orléans. With its impressive keep and imposing towers, this fortified castle was a symbol of feudal power and played a strategic role in the defence of the Kingdom of France. Listed as a historic monument in 1918, Le Rivau stands out for its unique architecture, its beautifully preserved Gothic interiors and its imposing stables.

The gardens of Le Rivau: an enchanting world

The estate is also famous for its extraordinary gardens, which extend over several hectares. Designed as a tribute to the Renaissance and to fairy tales, they are among the most beautiful in France. Divided into several sections, each with its own theme and atmosphere — from the Garden of Princess Rapunzel to the Garden of Love Potions — they offer an explosion of colours and scents all year round.

The Audiopen: self-guided touring indoors and out

In 2015, the castle's owners wanted to make visiting the estate more interactive and accessible. After a thorough assessment of their needs, Sycomore recommended the Audiopen, an optical-reading pen perfectly suited to self-guided tours. For Le Rivau, Sycomore designed a specially adapted route map: by pointing the Audiopen at an encoded zone on the map, visitors instantly trigger an audio commentary about the place where they are standing.

The gardens, with their many paths and hidden corners, lend themselves particularly well to this use: each visitor discovers the grounds at their own pace, stopping to listen to anecdotes about the plants, the sculptures and the history of the estate.

A self-guided, immersive experience

Selecting the tour language could not be simpler: just point the pen at the corresponding flag shown on the route map. Every visitor, whatever their age or origin, is then free to wander around the castle grounds and trigger the audio content for the points of interest that appeal to them most, without being constrained by a predetermined route.

The success of the Audiopen at the Château du Rivau is a testament to Sycomore's expertise in digital interpretation: tailor-made solutions that blend harmoniously into historic sites without compromising their authenticity.