Off to Neuchâtel with your thinking-caps on!

While looking for a family activity, I discovered the Les Chenapans treasure hunt in Neuchâtel totally by chance. We were delighted to take up this challenge involving tricky riddles, large frescoes scattered across the city and even an old tramway, which plunged us into the beauties of the Belle Époque.
 
The city of Neuchâtel boasts many architectural features dating from the Belle Époque, such as the kiosk on Place Pury, where the hunt starts. All along the route, magnificent frescoes from the time are reminders of this historical period, which ran from the end of the 19th century to the First World War.
 
Equipped with several accessories lent by the Neuchâtel Tourist Office, it is time to solve a dozen clues, to walk through the city and above all to (re)discover it from a new perspective. This treasure hunt is beautifully thought-out and realized; you have to decipher, think logically and decode. It’s enough to get the whole family addicted.
I don't want to give away the different clues here, but I will say that you have to use your intuition, reasoning and judgement. It's not a simple treasure hunt that you can just go on with your kids. This one involves some brain-power!
   

Good to know

First you need to go to the Neuchâtel tourist office at Hôtel des Postes to collect the material, a map and the information you’ll need. Make sure you check the opening times because you’ll need to return these things once you’ve finished the treasure hunt.

It takes about two and a half hours to complete and is ideal for children from about 8 years of age. We took along two little ones aged 6 and 8, and they enjoyed it very much. But the clues involve reading, reasoning and a good sense of direction, and so weren’t easy for them. However, they loved using the accessories.

The treasure hunt costs CHF 25.- for a family (2 adults and 2 children).

I hope you’ll now want to come and discover the town in this exciting family activity. Thinking caps on, and off to Neuchâtel!