Story by Linda DonahueAnyone who’s ever visited Paris has known the thrill of hunting for treasures in the city’s countless boutiques, restaurants and marketplaces. Regular visitors have probably even gotten quite good at it. So why not take those skills and put them to use in one of the most fantastic, unusual events thrown by the city of Paris: La Chasse aux Trésors de Paris 2009, otherwise known as the Paris Treasure Hunt.
On July 4th, the 4th annual Paris Treasure Hunt will take residents and visitors alike on a day-long quest through the streets of Paris. Previous years’ events drew upwards of 15,000 participants, and this year’s event will surely do the same. The event is open to individuals or teams (of up to six people), and prizes are awarded at the end of the day.
The treasure hunt is actually a series of hunts divided among the ten districts (arrondissements) that participate. Each district has its own quest and a variety of “enigmas” - the story that leads you along the path - to put people on different paths to the finish line. Each district also has an English-language enigma, so fear not. It’s not necessary to parle vous Française.
In the 6th arrondissement, for instance, your enigma may start off with a paragraph that reads: “Walk along the great garden. Your direction: the palace. You are on the longest street of Paris. On your right side, you will see the museum. Reach the painter, behind the forest. And when you see the arches, go under them. Against the wall, you will find a meter.“
For those who know the 6th, the “great garden” is the Jardin des Luxembourg, and the “palace” is the Palais du Luxembourg, home of the French Senate. You’ll be walking along the edge of the Jardin on the rue de Vaugirard, which is the longest street in Paris. Past the small museum, hunters will find a restaurant called “Renoir” (the painter), and if they were to go under the arcade leading into the garden (the arches), they would find the meter, literally a meter measurement etched in the stone.
As you’re guided along your path, you’ll likely gather additional clues to lead you on your way. It really is very much like TV’s Amazing Race, only (happily) confined to a much smaller area. And once you’ve found your way to the finish line, you’ll be entered to win the prize for that district, awarded in a ceremony at the end of the afternoon. This year’s prizes include dinner in top Paris restaurants, free stays at fabulous Paris hotels and unique tours of Paris. The real prize, for many people, are tickets to the Paris Secret Cabaret. This spectacular event is held only once a year in a top-secret location and feature surprising acts that, this year, includes a private concert by Matthieu Chédid, a popular French rock star.
The Paris Treasure Hunt is gives you the chance to discover the Paris most tourists never see. You’ll meet shop keepers, craftsmen and artists as you come across little-known places like hidden gardens, narrow streets and secret passages. Best of all, the Paris Treasure Hunt is completely free.
Register online at the website set up for the event (it’s available in English version). You may not win any prizes at the end of the day, but you’ll definitely be a winner for having tried.
