Augmented reality (AR) is transforming the way we interact with our cultural and tourist heritage. Thanks to augmented reality applications, it's now possible to discover damaged or lost monuments, and enjoy innovative, immersive tourist experiences. From Brittany to Normandy, via the world's greatest museums, AR is reinventing heritage discovery.
Château de la Hunaudaye application: AR at the service of medieval heritage
The Château de la Hunaudaye in Brittany is using an augmented reality application to virtually recreate this testimony to medieval times. This castle in Brittany was a forerunner, as the application has been in existence since 2013 and is still in operation. This initiative highlights the ability of immersive technologies to enhance heritage in a sustainable way. An investment that has paid off handsomely, always at the service of guided tours.
A guided tour enhanced by augmented reality
Developed as an interactive tourist guide, the application offers augmented tours where visitors, accompanied by Androïd tablets, discover the splendors of the château thanks to 3D models superimposed on the real environment. Visitors can :
- Explore the central courtyard, former kitchens and other key areas with historical reconstructions.
- Access multimedia content, comments and events related to the site.
This immersive user experience goes beyond the visual. It encourages visitors to actively engage and participate in the historical discovery tours.
Preserving and enhancing heritage through AR
Applications like the one at Château de la Hunaudaye illustrate how AR can contribute to :
- Bringing historical memory back to life, by reconstructing buildings destroyed or altered by time.
- Making heritage accessible, even for sites that are physically difficult to restore.
- Engage new generations by transforming the visit into a fun and educational experience.
Arromanches 1944 application: relive history with animated AR
The Arromanches 1944 application, developed by BIPLAN and OHRIZON, uses animated augmented reality to immerse visitors in the events of the Normandy Landings. Based on historical documents, eyewitness accounts and archives, this application offers total immersion thanks to :
- Vintage videos and sounds.
- Immersive 2D and 3D reconstructions of the D-Day landing beaches.
This immersive scenography gives visitors a better understanding of history, while making the experience accessible and captivating.
Museums reinvented with augmented reality
Museums are also using augmented reality to enhance theuser experience and add value to their collections. The Musée de la Culture Cévenole, for example, offers an application enabling visitors to :
- Discover objects and artifacts in real-life situations thanks to 3D reconstructions.
- Deepen their understanding of exhibitions through rich, interactive content.
Storyboarding: the key to a successful augmented experience
In augmented reality applications, scripting plays a central role in capturing visitors' attention and stimulating engagement. Here are a few best practices:
- Create an immersive narrative: Introduce interactive elements, such as quests or puzzles, to immerse visitors.
- Encourage sharing: Encourage users to share their experience on social networks, creating a participative dynamic.
- Distinguish between hypothesis and reality: contextualize reconstructions to differentiate between historical fact and hypothesis.
AR: a lever for making culture more accessible and engaging
Augmented reality not only enriches theuser experience, it also helps to democratize access to culture. Historical and cultural sites can thus become shared experiences that leave an indelible mark on visitors, even those not initially attracted to culture.
Technology for tourism and heritage
Thanks to augmented reality platforms such as those offered by OHRIZON, historical monuments and sites are equipped with modern tools for :
- Create augmented reality experiences tailored to different audiences.
- Promote immersive tourism and attract new visitors.
- Reinventing augmented guided tours by combining technology and education.
Conclusion: augmented reality for the tourism and culture of the future
Augmented reality, combined with gamification, geolocation and multimedia content, is redefining cultural tourism. Sites such as the Château de la Hunaudaye, the beaches of Arromanches and the Musée des Cultures Cévenoles show how this technology can transform the discovery of heritage into an immersive and engaging adventure.
By investing in augmented reality applications, heritage and tourism players are creating memorable experiences that connect past and present, while engaging the interest of future generations. So, are you ready to plunge into a new era of cultural tourism?