About

Rouen Sites & Monuments manages and promotes Rouen’s iconic cultural heritage, including world-famous landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Gros-Horloge. With over 500,000 annual visitors across five heritage sites, the organization offers guided tours, exhibitions, and educational activities to bring Rouen’s history to life.

Challenge: Extending the Visitor Experience Through Innovation

Rouen Sites & Monuments wanted to create a tech-enhanced souvenir that would extend the museum experience beyond the visit itself—while ensuring historical and scientific accuracy. The goal was to develop a unique product that would engage visitors and reflect the curatorial rigor of the Historial Jeanne d’Arc.

Key Result: A Best-Selling Interactive Souvenir

The Joan of Arc smart magnet quickly rose to the top:

• Top 2 best-selling product in the museum gift shop
• Available in 5 languages, accessible to international audiences
• Sold at the Historial Jeanne d’Arc and the Aître Saint-Maclou

Solution: A Smart Magnet That Talks

We developed the first AI-powered smart magnet featuring Joan of Arc. A QR code on the back of the object turns it into an interactive conversation tool.

Visitors can scan the magnet and ask Joan of Arc questions about her life, battles, and trial. The AI answers are based on a biography written by Ask Mona’s editorial team and validated by the institution’s curatorial staff, ensuring that all content is accurate, reliable, and aligned with the museum’s educational approach.

Why It Works

• Combines a physical keepsake with digital storytelling
• Strengthens emotional connection with historical figures
• Leverages existing museum content with no additional staff effort
• Drives visitor satisfaction and boosts gift shop sales

This use case demonstrates how an augmented object can act as a powerful educational, commercial, and experiential tool for cultural institutions.

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