La Rochelle: Immersion in local history through sign language

For three years, he has been offering his services as a self-employed entrepreneur. In partnership with the Tourist Office, the aquarium, and the National Monuments Center, he shares his knowledge with tourists who sign. "I've always loved visiting, discovering new places, and above all, sharing my discoveries. Being a guide is a communication profession, and for me, it was natural to do it in sign language, my language. It's a way of communicating differently, with the body, emotions, and a real presence. It's a wonderful recognition of the importance of accessible mediation."

The group moves silently through the historic streets of La Rochelle, yet the signing never stops. Along the way, new words are learned: Renaissance, Île de Ré… As a non-signing person, the group can be intriguing. Along our way, many curious people observe the group.

The city tour lasted well over two hours, yet no one got tired of it. Yves has this ability to put people at ease. He succeeds in creating a closeness, not only with himself but also between the people being guided. "What often strikes me is the change in attitude of the group. At first, some don't really know what to expect; they wonder if the history will really interest them. But once the tour begins in sign language, everything becomes fluid. There's a real immersion, because we share not only knowledge, but also our culture, our humor, our way of expressing things visually. It's a rich, expressive, and vibrant language."

"I would really like to contribute to the development and creation of deaf tour guide positions in France. Today, there are very few. Yet, there is a real need, in all fields: history, science, heritage, arts... Sign language mediation, by deaf people, is a rich asset for the entire public," adds Yves Prud'Homme.