Paris has a second set of streets.

This self-guided puzzle game turns you loose in some of the city’s most photogenic covered passages and galleries, with a mobile ticket and a booklet that guides you by riddles. I love that you get to slow down and look up at shop windows, signs, mosaics, and architectural details you’d normally zip past, and I also love that it ends in the calm of the Palais Royal gardens instead of another crowded square.

The main drawback: there’s no tour guide, so if a clue stumps you, you’ll be working it out on your own. Also keep the timing in mind—this game usually takes about 2 hours, but it automatically ends after 3 hours, so stop-for-a-coffee breaks can eat into your solving time.

Key things I’d plan around

• Self-guided, English-friendly game with a mobile ticket and a booklet you pick up at the start
• Six classic covered passages and galleries, from Passage Verdeau to Galerie Colbert and then outdoors at Palais Royal
• Clues that reward close looking—some are tucked into details and even high above in the architecture
• A flexible route mindset: if Galerie Colbert is closed, you can still finish the investigation
• A realistic time window: plan on ~2 hours, but know it stops automatically after 3 hours
• Small-group feel with a maximum of 20 travelers

Getting started at Passage Verdeau: where your hunt begins

Your adventure starts at Passage Verdeau (Pass. Verdeau, 75009 Paris), under the glass roof where the passages’ charm is front and center. This is your first “collect the clues” moment: you’ll receive your game booklet and your opening riddles right here.

What makes this start work well is the setting. Under that glass roof, you’re surrounded by the kind of storefronts that make Paris feel like Paris—antique bookshops, vintage shops, and all the little details that only show up when you look for them. The game nudges you to do that on purpose, which is half the fun.

Tip that matters: at the start, take 60 seconds to orient yourself. Don’t just speed-read the first riddle—scan the area first. Passages like this are built for signage, reflections, and small visual “tells,” and the puzzles tend to use what you can actually see.

Stop 1: Passage Verdeau’s glass-roof clues and 19th-century vibes

At Passage Verdeau, you’re basically being trained to play the game correctly. The riddles are tied to what’s around you: shop windows, hidden details, and architectural elements that look decorative until you’re asked to hunt for them.

I like that this stop sets the tone quickly. You’re not walking into a mystery with zero context. You’re getting your first riddles in an environment that already looks like an illustrated postcard.

Possible snag: if you’re the type who hates looking slowly (or you’re rushing between metro stops), you might feel like you’re being asked to do more “observing” than “exploring.” But that’s also exactly what makes the treasure hunt satisfying.

Stop 2: Passage Jouffroy—mosaic floors and clues hidden high

Next you cross the street and head into Passage Jouffroy, where the vibe shifts slightly but the puzzle logic stays the same. Expect old-fashioned signs and mosaic floors, plus a few clues that are positioned for people who pay attention to scale—things that are high above you, or built into architectural details.

This is one of those places where the game helps you notice how the passages function. They’re not just pretty walkways; they’re shopping corridors designed to funnel attention. Once you start solving, you’ll likely see how the layout guides your eyes.

What you’ll likely enjoy here: the mix of old and new. The passage has historic character, but it’s still used—so you get that “Paris in motion” feeling rather than an empty museum corridor.

Stop 3: Passage des Panoramas—older arcade energy with café-and-postal hints

Passage des Panoramas is described as one of Paris’s oldest, and it shows. This stop is lively in a very specific way: restaurants, vintage neon lights, and historic shopfronts all sit side by side, which makes it a great contrast to the quieter architectural moments elsewhere on the route.

The treasure hunt also gives you little historical breadcrumbs between riddles. You’ll discover traces connected to the first cafés and the earliest Parisian postal system—a reminder that these passages weren’t only about shopping. They were part of everyday Paris life.

Practical note: neon and bright shopfronts can be a distraction, especially if you’re tired. If you feel your brain wandering, slow down on purpose. The clues here likely reward steady attention more than fast reactions.

Stop 4: Galerie Vivienne—golden mosaics and an artistic angle

After solving a few clues, the route leads you into Galerie Vivienne, and this is where the game gets more “art gallery” feeling. You’re beneath ornate ceilings and golden mosaics, and the riddles take on an artistic touch.

This stop is valuable even if you don’t care about puzzles, because it’s built for people who love craftsmanship. The questions guide you to look at the details that make the gallery feel special: the way light hits surfaces, the decorative patterning, and the sense of refinement that comes through in the architecture.

You’ll also learn about the gallery’s refined past—once frequented by writers, designers, and booksellers. Even without turning this into a formal history lecture, it gives you context for why this place still feels elegant.

If you’re traveling with someone who dislikes puzzles: this is your best negotiation card. Tell them to treat it as a “look-only gallery break” first, then they’ll usually find it easier to rejoin the hunt.

Stop 5: Galerie Colbert—sometimes closed, still finishable

Next is Galerie Colbert, adjacent to Galerie Vivienne. Here’s the key thing to know: the Passage Colbert is sometimes closed without notice. The good news is that this won’t stop you from solving the riddles or completing the investigation.

So you’re planning for two possible realities:

• If it’s open, you’ll experience it as intended.
• If it’s closed, you’ll still be able to work through the clues and keep going.

What you can count on from the description: Galerie Colbert belongs to the National Library, and the space is tied to grand columns and a majestic glass dome. Even from outside, that “mystery” factor helps set the mood, and it keeps the stop from feeling like wasted time.

Tip that saves frustration: don’t burn 20 minutes trying to force access. If you hit a gate or closure sign, shift into “outside observation mode” and keep moving with the game flow. The design of the activity anticipates this.

Stop 6: Jardin du Palais Royal—your poetic outdoor ending

Your walk ends at Jardin du Palais Royal (8 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris). After weaving through covered passages and architectural puzzle stops, you transition outdoors into the gardens.

The game finishes with a final riddle that reveals the outcome of your investigation. And the tone here is different: instead of scanning details, you’re more in a “breathe and reflect” mode. It’s the kind of ending that makes the whole experience feel less like chores and more like a gentle, self-paced story.

Why this ending is such good value: it stops you from being trapped in the shopping-and-commute grind. You get a real breather, and it’s a strong payoff location for photos and decompressing.

How long it takes and how to pace yourself

This treasure hunt averages around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, with an automatic end after 3 hours wherever you are on the route. That matters because it’s not just “take your time forever.” You can pause, but the activity is designed around a workable solving pace.

If you like breaks, I’d treat them like scheduled snacks rather than long sit-down moments. The route includes covered sections that are great for steady walking, so you’ll probably spend less time “waiting” than you would on a typical walking tour.

My practical pacing rule:

• Move steadily through each stop until you solve the key clue for that area.
• If you want a rest, do it right after a solved section, not mid-riddle.

That keeps you from losing momentum and running into the time cap.

What the price gets you: value beyond the $35.49 tag

At $35.49 per person, this is priced like a small experience: you’re paying for the game booklet and the design of a self-guided route. You’re not paying for a guide, and you’re not paying for admission at the stops (the entries listed are free).

That’s the core value logic here: the cost is mostly about turning a normal Paris “walk around” into something structured. You get a reason to stop, look closer, and connect details across multiple passages.

Where the value is strongest:

• You like wandering with purpose.
• You enjoy visual puzzles more than trivia lectures.
• You want something that works for different ages and energy levels (most travelers can participate).

Where the value can be weaker:

• You mainly want big-ticket monuments with guided narration.
• You get frustrated when you’re stuck without someone to explain.

Who this treasure hunt suits best

I think this works especially well for:

• Couples and small friend groups who like doing things in parallel and then comparing answers
• Visitors who want a different side of Paris than the main boulevards
• Rain-or-shine planners, because covered passages help you keep moving
• People who enjoy looking for details—signs, mosaics, hidden text, and architectural cues

It’s less ideal if you want heavy, step-by-step coaching. This is self-guided. You’re in charge of momentum.

A quick note on the people behind it

The experience is offered by From Paris With Fun, and the tone you’re likely to feel is friendly and patient. In one supportive interaction I saw referenced, Marion was praised for welcoming attention and patience when dealing with puzzle difficulty. That’s a reassuring sign: even though there’s no tour guide walking with you, the human support exists if you need help with the flow.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a low-stress, high-attention Paris activity—one that takes you through famous-feeling passages without the usual crowd choreography. The combination of covered architecture, riddle-driven sightseeing, and an ending at Palais Royal makes it feel like more than just a walk.

Skip it (or rethink) if you dislike puzzles, hate solving without a guide, or you’re likely to take long breaks that push you toward the 3-hour auto end. Also, if Galerie Colbert being closed would throw off your mood, just remember: the activity is built to keep you moving anyway.

FAQ

FAQ

Is this a guided tour or truly self-guided?

It’s self-guided. You’ll follow the game booklet and clues on your own. A tour guide isn’t included.

What language is the game offered in?

The game is offered in English.

How long does the treasure hunt take?

It averages about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. The activity automatically ends after 3 hours, wherever you are on the route.

Where does the game start and where do I finish?

It starts at Passage Verdeau and ends at Jardin du Palais Royal (8 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris).

Do I get tickets or admission for the passages?

The activity includes the game booklets, and the stops list free admission. You’re not shown any paid admission fees as part of the itinerary.

Do I need to bring anything besides a smartphone?

You’ll use your mobile ticket, and you’ll be working from the game booklet. Beyond that, it’s practical to have your phone for navigating and keeping track of time.

What if Galerie Colbert is closed when I arrive?

That can happen without notice. The activity is designed so it still won’t prevent you from solving the riddles or completing the investigation.

Is this okay for most travelers?

Yes. It says most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed.

How many people are in the maximum group?

The activity has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Where can I get confirmation after booking?

Confirmation is received at the time of booking.

If you tell me your travel dates and whether you prefer early mornings or evenings, I can suggest a sensible way to fit this into a Paris day without feeling rushed.

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