Visit France

A visit to France in sign language

Jun 24, 2024

Visit France with sign language guides

Travelling in France is a fascinating adventure, offering endless opportunities to explore its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, a visit to France in sign language opens the door to an enriching and accessible experience. Imagine strolling through charming streets, uncovering iconic landmarks, and learning about French heritage through guided tours tailored to your needs. These unique tours ensure that language barriers don’t stand in the way of fully experiencing the magic of France.

From bustling cities to serene countryside escapes, there’s so much to discover in a way that’s inclusive and memorable. Immerse yourself in the stories, traditions, and beauty of this magnificent country through tours specially designed for you. Whether you’re visiting world-famous museums or exploring hidden gems, a journey in sign language ensures that every moment is accessible and engaging. Here’s everything you need to know about sign language tours in France.

1. Why choose a sign language tour?

Guided tours in sign language offer deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors an immersive, comprehensible experience. These tours offer a rich and detailed interpretation of tourist sites, making every discovery accessible and inclusive.

Accessibility and total understanding

Guided tours in sign language enable a full understanding of the information presented. Specialized guides are trained to communicate clearly and effectively, making the cultural experience accessible to all visitors.

Immersive experience

A guided tour in sign language allows total immersion in the history, art and culture of the site visited. Sign language explanations allow you to better grasp nuances and details, offering a deeper and more meaningful experience.

Personalized interaction

Sign language tour groups are often smaller, allowing more direct and personalized interaction with the guide. This allows participants to ask questions, exchange ideas and deepen their understanding of the subject.

Social inclusion

Taking part in a guided tour using sign language promotes social and cultural inclusion. It enables deaf and hard-of-hearing people to share cultural experiences with friends and family, and feel fully integrated into society.

Awareness and education

These tours play a crucial role in raising public awareness of the importance of accessibility and inclusion. They show that cultural heritage can and should be accessible to all, regardless of hearing ability.

Reducing language barriers

Because Sign Language is a visual and gestural language, it reduces language barriers for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, enabling them to fully enjoy the explanations without having to worry about reading limitations on signs or audioguides.

2. The best museums offering sign language tours

Musée du Louvre, Paris

The Musée du Louvre, one of the world’s largest and most famous museums, offers guided tours in sign language. Book your visit in advance to discover the masterpieces of art in a whole new light.

Address : Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Website : louvre.fr
Visit contact : Accessibility and special publics service, accessibilite@louvre.fr

Musée d'Orsay, Paris

The Musée d’Orsay, famous for its collection of Impressionist art, also offers tours in visual language. Enjoy art in all its forms, from paintings to sculptures.

Addresss : 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris
Website : musee-orsay.fr
Visit contact : publics@musee-orsay.fr

Centre Pompidou, Paris

The Centre Pompidou offers guided tours to explore contemporary and modern art. Discover temporary and permanent exhibitions with sign language interpretation.

Address : Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris
Website : centrepompidou.fr
Visit contact : Handicap Home Service, accueil.handicap@centrepompidou.fr

Musée des Confluences, Lyon

Lyon’s Musée des Confluences offers sign language tours of its science, history and society exhibitions. An educational and inclusive experience for all visitors.

Address : 86 Quai Perrache, 69002 Lyon
Website : museedesconfluences.fr
Visit contact : accessibilite@museedesconfluences.fr

Musée Fabre, Montpellier

The Musée Fabre in Montpellier offers sign language tours to explore its collections of European art from the 14th to the 21st century. A total immersion in art history.

Address : 39 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, 34000 Montpellier
Website : museefabre.montpellier3m.fr
Visit contact : mediation@museefabre.montpellier3m.fr

MUCEM, Marseille

The Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée (MUCEM) in Marseille offers sign language tours of its rich collections of Mediterranean history and culture.

Address : 7 Promenade Robert Laffont, 13002 Marseille
Website : mucem.org
Visit contact : publics@mucem.org

3. Castles and Historic Monuments in sign language

Château de Versailles

Explore the sumptuous halls and gardens of the Château de Versailles with guided tours in sign language. Discover the history of French royalty from a new and enriching perspective.

Address : Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles
Website : chateauversailles.fr
Visit contact : accessibilite@chateauversailles.fr

Mont Saint-Michel

This emblematic site offers tours in sign language to discover the fascinating history of this majestic island and its medieval abbey.

Address : Mont-Saint-Michel, 50170, Normandie
Website : montsaintmichel.com
Visit contact : accessibilite@montsaintmichel.com

Château de Chenonceau

The Château de Chenonceau, nicknamed the “Château des Dames”, offers sign language tours of its unique history and sumptuous gardens.

Addresss : 37150 Chenonceaux
Website : chenonceau.com
Visit contact : accessibilite@chenonceau.com

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims

Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral, the crowning place of the kings of France, offers tours in sign language to discover its history and impressive Gothic architecture.

Address : Place du Cardinal Luçon, 51100 Reims
Website : cathedrale-reims.com
Visit contact : accessibilite@cathedrale-reims.com

4. How can I book a guided tour in sign language?

To book a guided tour in sign language, follow these steps :

Search and select : Check the websites of the places you want to visit to see if they offer tours in sign language.
Contact specific services : Use the contact details provided to get in touch directly with the accessibility services or departments responsible for the visits.
Book in advance : Sign language tours often require advance booking. Be sure to book in advance to guarantee availability.
Confirm details : Check the details of your reservation, including time, meeting place and any other relevant information.

5. Practical tips to make the most of your visit

To make the most of your visit in sign language, here are a few tips :

Prepare in advance : Find out more about the location and content of the tour, so you can better appreciate the explanations.
Ask questions : Don’t hesitate to ask the guide questions to deepen your understanding.
Use translation apps : Certain applications can help you better understand the additional information available on site.
Check the equipment : Make sure the venue is equipped to accommodate the deaf or hard-of-hearing.
Invite some friends : Sharing the experience with other deaf or hard-of-hearing people can make the visit even more enjoyable.
Get dressed comfortably : Wear comfortable clothing and footwear, especially for outdoor tours or visits to historic sites with a lot of walking.

Registration of specialized sign language guides.

If you’re a guide specializing in sign language tours, we invite you to fill out our GuideYourTrip Registration Form to offer your services and make tours accessible to all.