Paris Treasure Hunt or La Chasse aux trésors 2010

Every now and then I see people, often in groups, wandering around Paris as if on a treasure hunt. It turns out they are on a treasure hunt! July 3 is the next hunt for the eternal roses.

“La Chasse aux trésors – de Paris” is coordinated with the Mayor of Paris’ office. It is a game complete with rules and prizes. The hunt begins between 10 a.m. an 1 p.m. and ends promptly at 3:30 p.m. It begins in front of the city halls for the following arrondissements: 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 and Saint Ouen.

How do you find a city hall? If you are using a Paris book of streets, look for an emblem with the tri-color of blue, white and red. Ask you concierge.

The contest is open to residents and tourists; just be sure to register online to avoid the queue at the starting time. Come dressed as a team or try to win the best costume prize (see photo from 2009).

All of the participating arrondissements have itineraries that players with limited mobility can follow. The association “Mobile en Ville” helped the organizers plan the routes. In fact, you will not have a problem if you have small children in tow or in strollers. My thanks to Camille from Baby’tems for that information.

The following information comes from Les Trésors de Paris 2010 website:

“Snippets of…texts are the fruit of a secret collaboration between gardeners, archaeologists and Parisian historians over the course of the 20th century. What were they looking for?

The words “the eternal roses” were often mentioned in the texts. Our editing staff carried out an investigation and found that these texts concern the roses of Jericho, an extremely rare species which disappeared from the Jardin des Plantes during the great flood of 1910, in Paris.

Washed away by the waters of the Seine, the roses have still not been found…”

When you enroll on their English web page beware of the DATE!! The correct date is July 3.

The clues are riddles, the itineraries are different and handed out randomly. This is an opportunity to see hidden gardens, small streets and secret passages.

Follow the instructions and you will be guided through different neighborhoods of Paris. Apparently there will be strange characters waiting to challenge your wits, humor, taste and sense of smell.

At the end, you will be asked a question. If it is answered correctly, you have an extra chance at winning the main prize. How prizes are distributed to winning teams is a mystery to me! I will have to win to find out….

The winners from each arrondissement will be announced at 4:30 p.m. They will win the following:

• access to a secret Paris Cabaret, which opens only once a year,
• dinners in top Paris restaurants,
• nights in chic Paris hotels,
• special “Paris tours” showing the mysterious side of the city.

At 4:30 p.m. the winners will be announced at the following locations:
3rd arrondissement : Parvis de la Mairie = city hall
6th arrondissement : Cour intérieure de la Mairie
9th arrondissement : Cour intérieure de la Mairie
11th arrondissement : Square Maurice Gardette
12th arrondissement : Salle de la Mairie
13th arrondissement : Parvis de la Mairie
18th arrondissement : Arènes de Montmartre
19th arrondissement : Parvis de la Mairie
20th arrondissement : Pavillon Carré de Baudoin
Saint-Ouen : Parc Albert Dhalenne

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