The Christmas market started a few days ago and the influx of tourists mixes with the scent of mulled wine and flambé baguettes. At times, in this major upheaval in central Strasbourg, it can be tempting to stay home to avoid the crowds. Instead, we have decided to take an opposite point of view, and to rediscover our city in its festive garb, with a special treasure hunt at the Christmas market. We tell you more.
As seasoned Strasburgers, the rhythm of the “bike to work and sleep” can sometimes make us forget to look up at the streets we cross every day, making us miss out on some nice surprises.
To remedy this, we embarked on a Christmas-themed treasure huntto rediscover our city, in the heart of the season that makes the chestnuts shiver.
The concept: a treasure hunt at the Christmas market
Behind this treasure hunt concept: also the spirits of Insolit’ Prod, an events company from Strasbourg creator of a Harry Potter outdoor escape game but also a good dozen matches available throughout Strasbourg.
For the Christmas market treasure hunt, the principle is simple: you have to carry out a good series of missions, in a course of 1h30 / 2h, which will take us to different Christmas markets in Strasbourg. Challenges, questions about the world of Christmas or even about the history of our city: you have to be able to get the best score possible, out of the 300 points awarded in all.
Your traveling companions? A team of 2 to 6 playersa smartphone with audio on for little musical surprises, an application, a few QR codes to scan and your good mood. Plus: gloves, because it’s cold in Strasbourg in December.
(Re)discover Strasbourg, one puzzle at a time
It’s 10 when the team of indomitable adventurers arrives at Place Kléber, the starting point of the route. Outside the caps and jackets. We launch the application and find ourselves choosing a name. The Breton of the band has the last word: from now on we will be known as “Les mouettes de Noël”.
First assignment? Take a photo in front of the Christmas tree on Place Kléber. Always ready to give himself, another travel companion stands in front of the green giant. We won our first points, we feel good.
First impressions: The operation of the treasure hunt is very intuitive. The map to move around Strasbourg is very well done and you can quickly identify the different Christmas hats that represent the missions to be carried out.
cThe latter alternate general knowledge questions on Christmas or Strasbourg and challenges. For questions, we will have to find Icelandic customs, the birth date of our Christmas market or even detect true from false in Christmas traditions in different countries of the world. For the challenges, we had to imitate a herd of reindeer, do our own way with the words of a Christmas song or even pose in front of a virtual sleigh. This part turns out to be quite funny, especially if you are among friends and don’t take each other seriously.
Above all, we take the time to walk around Strasbourg. From the swing bridge at rue Mercière, via Grand’Rue and its perpendicular streets, we stroll through the various Christmas markets and find ourselves raising our heads to observe the city around us with new eyes.
Finally, after 1h24 and more than 4km of travel, we land in front of the catoche to carry out three bonus challenges involving socks and coconuts in particular, we won’t say more. Final points total? 268more than honorable, even if we got stuck on G culture. Christmas Seagulls lived up to their name.
The verdict
We really enjoyed the experience. The challenges put you in a good mood and you are immediately involved in the game. Furthermore, we remain very free in the course since we can do the missions in the order we want. To warm up in the middle of the game, we also made a detour to the sharing village stand (located on Place Kléber) to get a hot hibiscus juice (of course, it also works with a mulled wine). A highly recommended stop.
Even the digital part with the application is well done, with the music adding a bit of atmosphere to our wanderings..
We also got to know more about Christmas customs in different countries of the world, with several unusual facts. This city walk also allowed us to lay a curious eye on the landscapes we see every day, giving us many new ideas for articles (stay tuned)! It is funny.
If you are new to Strasbourg, this scavenger hunt is a good place to start. Between fun challenges and unusual information, it will allow you to walk around and (re)discover the city, in total freedom. A tip: as you can take the course at any time, perhaps plan to do it during off-peak hours in order to have peace of mind. But other than that, grab your gloves, a warm hibiscus juice and get ready for an adventure!
Christmas Treasure Hunt by Insolit’ Prod
Article supported but not reviewed by Insolit’ Prod
