This summer, to get away from it all even more, try geocaching! With your smartphone in hand, an app takes you on a fun, family-friendly adventure as you stroll around a tourist attraction: how about treasure hunting, version 3.0? Youngsters can let their imaginations run riot, while older children guide them, and everyone learns something new about the area they're visiting. In New Aquitaine, Brittany, the Allier or near Lyon, nearly 500 geocaching missions await you in France!
Near Bordeaux, on the Gironde estuary: La Belle de l'estuaire, in Pauillac
Here's a great way to keep the little ones busy for half a day on the Bordeaux wine route, right in the heart of the Médoc. In Pauillac, close to Château Mouton-Rotschild and not far from Saint-Estèphe, Terra Aventura offers a treasure hunt on the banks of the estuary. Little characters (the Poï'z) take you on an adventure around the Roselière nature reserve in the centre of Pauillac, opposite Patiras Island, for a walk lasting around 2 hours.
Discover the treasure hunt and download the app at Terra Aventura Pauillac Médoc Tourist Office
Near Biarritz, on the surfing beaches: head for the Chambre d'Amour in Anglet
Welcome to Surf Avenue! Right next door to Biarritz, the town of Anglet is also renowned for its wide surfing beaches, and its rollers attract surfers from all over the world. Between two waves, discover the legends of surfing and the history of its beaches by following the adventures of the little characters imagined by Terra Aventura. Meet up on Chambre d'Amour beach for a short treasure hunt lasting less than 2 hours. A great way to immerse yourself in the Basque Coast!
Discover the treasure hunt and download the app at Terra Aventura Anglet Tourist Office
On the Arcachon basin: towns and cabins in celebration, at Andernos-les-Bains
Opposite Arcachon, near Cap-Ferret, the town of Andernos-les-Bains boasts the longest pier in the Bay of Arcachon. Accessible by train from Bordeaux, it's a popular holiday destination. Here, the beautiful villas and their tranquil gardens sit alongside the bustle of the oyster-farming port and its oyster huts, so typical of the Bay. From the large jetty to the incredible villas, via the secrets of the oyster farmers and behind the scenes at the station, this treasure hunt will take you to all the nooks and crannies of Andernos-les-Bains, for a walk of around 2 hours, accessible to pushchairs.
Around thirty kilometres away, you can also discover the "Marathon de l'échasse" trail in the Val de l'Eyre. Launched in 2019 in partnership with Gironde Tourisme and the Nouvelle Aquitaine Region, it unfurls 2 km of adventures all over the town of Salles and is aimed at young and old alike.
Treasure hunts to discover and app to download at Terra Aventura Anderos-les-Bains Tourist Office Val de l'Eyre Tourist Office
In the footsteps of Merlin, in the forest of Brocéliande: a two-day cycle tour
Here's a quest that will delight fans of forests and legends! Here, in the heart of the Forêt de Paimpont, live all the legends of the mythical forest of Brocéliande. From Merlin's Tomb to Trompe-Souris, from Pas-du-Houx to Loup Pendu, the localities invite mystery! This geocaching treasure hunt is best done by bike, over two days: just enough time to immerse yourself in the myths and secrets of this forest, where the whispers of druids and fairies still echo.
Discover the treasure hunt and download the app at Trésors de Haute-Bretagne Brocéliande Tourist Office
In Saint-Malo, in the footsteps of the pirates: discover the corsair city
From the top of its ramparts, Saint-Malo gazes out over its bay. For a fun-filled visit, Trésors de Haute-Bretagne has come up with a geocaching trail in the footsteps of the Corsair City's famous pirates: something to get the kids excited, and give them a taste for wandering through the stone streets! The adventure begins in front of the Porte Saint-Vincent, and will take you past the Maison de la Duchesse Anne, the Hôtel France, the Hôtel Chateaubriand, as well as the town's most famous pirate: Robert Surcouf. This treasure hunt lasts around an hour and requires a bit of climbing at the end, and is not suitable for toddlers.
Discover the treasure hunt and download the app at Trésors de Haute-Bretagne Saint-Malo Tourist Office
In the Monts du Lyonnais: the Aqueduct siphon, to discover a Roman aqueduct
A few kilometres west of Lyon, in the pretty Monts du Lyonnais, the Gnolus take you on their adventures. Once you've downloaded the app, select one of the 12 routes that criss-cross the region. For example, in Chaponost, a small town to the south-west of Lyon, you can see the remains of a Roman aqueduct on the River Gier, a reminder of a time when Lugdunum was the capital of Gaul! Follow the history of the Gnolus and discover the local heritage, both built and natural, on a 6km walk.
Discover the treasure hunt and download the app at Les Gnolus Monts du Lyonnais Tourist Office
Near the N7, in the Allier: for a fun break on the way to your holiday destination
Dominated by a fortified castle, the village of Montaigu-le-Blin is just off the famous Nationale 7, the French holiday route to the south before the advent of motorways. Here, a geocaching adventure awaits you: stag Sir Braham wants to organise his birthday party, and you have to help him find the perfect castle for it. On your app! A walk lasting around two hours, for a fun, tree-lined break on the way to your holidays.
Discover the treasure hunt and download the app at Pépit Allier Tourist Office
NB: progress and health measures
All you need to follow these new-style treasure hunts is a GPS-enabled mobile phone. Download an application, choose your adventure, and set off to discover an area in a fun way, unearthing clues one by one... all the way to the treasure! The clues are geolocated, and the treasure comes in the form of a small bottle filled with badges celebrating victory.
In summer 2020, due to Covid-19, most of the badges have been replaced by digital treasures. The satisfaction of having found the location of the treasure remains intact!
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By Caroline Revol-Maurel
Journalist passionate about wild nature, travel and rock. As happy to write about bearded vultures as Lou Reed. Often accompanied by my two best critics, my daughters.
