New S-Guide audio guide system installed at the Tour Magne in Nîmes

The Tour Magne, an emblematic historic monument of Nîmes, is being equipped with an innovative new audio guide system, the S-Guide: a hands-free device that plunges visitors into the site's fascinating history while giving them complete freedom of movement.

The ghost of François Traucat: a narrated, immersive experience

To make the visit even more captivating, the company Edeis, in charge of the project's editorial content, devised a fictional audio trail built around the ghost of François Traucat. This historical figure, a 17th-century bourgeois who made his fortune from silkworm farming, was convinced that a treasure lay hidden beneath the Tour Magne — to the point of digging beneath the monument.

The S-Guide tells this story with sound effects and dialogue, creating a mysterious, immersive atmosphere. The actor Bruno Solo lends his voice to the French version, while Sycomore handled the translation and voice performance in five other languages: Italian, Spanish, Japanese, German and Dutch.

The technical features of the S-Guide

The S-Guide stands out for features designed for optimal comfort:

• Lightweight audio headset: worn comfortably over the ears, like a sports headset, ergonomic even during prolonged use.
• Hands-free system: ideal for climbing the tower's stairs without being encumbered by a device.
• Automatic triggering: based on geolocation, it launches the audio commentaries when the visitor reaches specific points along the route.
• Multilingual support: French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, German and Dutch.

How it works

On arrival at the Tour Magne, visitors are offered the S-Guide. Once equipped, the audio guide starts automatically as soon as the climb begins. Each stage is punctuated with historical explanations or anecdotes about François Traucat, accompanied by immersive sound effects. The route ends at the top of the tower, where visitors can admire a panoramic view of Nîmes while listening to the final chapters of the ghost's story.

The aims of the installation

The installation of the S-Guide at the Tour Magne serves several objectives:

• Making information more accessible: multilingual support opens the site to international visitors.
• Offering a modern alternative to guided tours: a free, self-guided visit at one's own pace.
• Enriching the visit experience: educational audio content that makes climbing the steps more enjoyable and entertaining.
• Easing movement within the tower: the lightweight, hands-free design allows visitors to climb the narrow stairs in complete safety.

By blending history, fiction and technological innovation, the Tour Magne now offers an enriched, accessible and modern visit experience. One more reason to climb the steps of this legendary tower and let yourself be guided by the story of the ghost of François Traucat.