France – On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, around ten deaf and hard of hearing people experienced a very special guided tour: for the first time, the Castle of Dinan (Côtes-d’Armor, France) was made accessible to them with the support of a professional sign language interpreter. The occasion was the International Day for Mobility and Accessibility. The participants responded enthusiastically — and expressed a clear desire for more such events in the future.
Sign Language Brings History to Life
In front of the impressive ducal tower, the tour begins under the trees, where Solène Gandanger, a cultural mediator at the castle, gives the visitors an overview of the site. But this time, nothing is only spoken — every piece of information is translated into visual language by sign language interpreter Kelly Sauvage. All participants attentively follow her gestures.
From the very first moments, a lively exchange begins. The interpreter translates questions and answers both ways: How tall is the tower? – Was the castle ever attacked? – The participants are actively involved, asking questions and laughing together as they guess the tower’s height.
One participant, Nathalie from Plouër-sur-Rance, listens with particular interest: she is considering offering sign language-based activities in the future and is attending this tour for inspiration.
Technical Terms in Sign Language – A Challenge Mastered
The tour continues into the honor courtyard of the ducal tower. Topics like war, ramparts, and machicolations (a medieval architectural defense structure) are precisely interpreted using clear sign language. Even difficult terms like Maître Queux (Old French for head cook) are conveyed successfully — or fingerspelled when there is no direct sign.
In each room — from the dining hall to the chapel to the private chamber — the group shows great curiosity. They ask many questions about medieval daily life: What did people wear? What did they eat? What was castle life really like?
At the end, everyone climbs to the top of the castle, where they enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire medieval city of Dinan.
Looking Ahead: More Accessible Cultural Offers Needed
Although the tour lasted longer than scheduled, the participants were thrilled. For many, it was their very first time visiting this historic monument — even though some of them are locals. As Béatrice noted: “I’m from here, but I’ve never visited the castle before. Reading the text displays is too hard for us — a tour like this is so much better.”
Others also expressed a strong desire for more inclusive offers. Véronique emphasized: “Tours like this are so important. Many deaf people struggle with reading because they never properly learned to read and write. That’s a real issue. Sign language helps us understand everything clearly.”
Solène Gandanger, the castle’s mediator, took this feedback to heart. She is already planning the next guided tour: “We could visit the other side of the tower — focusing on medieval weapons. And maybe even a guided tour through the town in sign language.”
Conclusion: Accessible Culture Is Possible – and Essential
This first sign language-accessible tour of Dinan Castle was a great success. It clearly shows how important inclusive offers are so that deaf and hard of hearing people can fully and equally participate in culture. The strong interest and commitment from everyone involved send a clear message: accessibility must not be the exception — it must become the norm.
The hope is that this great example will soon be followed by other cities and institutions.
Foto: OUEST-FRANCE
