Les Trésors du Rhin treasure hunt, free fun!

My summary

Video summary

Several games in Alsace

The game “Treasures of the Rhine” is a scavenger hunt—or rather, a series of scavenger hunts—that can be played in various locations throughout Alsace. As the name suggests, the idea is to explore the areas near the Rhine while learning about how the infrastructure there works (dams, EDF hydroelectric power plants, locks, fish passes, etc.).

The available tours are varied: the routes come in different lengths, can be explored on foot or by bike, and cover a range of themes, including geocaching, scavenger hunts, nature, and cultural heritage… You can choose based on your location and what you’re in the mood for, but you can also try several different routes in Alsace, since no two are alike! Each route truly has its own unique features, and both adults and children are sure to enjoy them!

From south to north, there are several games to choose from, with a cross-border twist: you can hop across the border to explore not only the French side but also the German side! It’s fun, especially since it’s completely free to participate !

How to play?

It’s easy to play: you can play directly on the “Les Trésors du Rhin” website or download the app (available on iOS and Android). Personally, I went with the latter option. You’ll then need to create an account—it’s quick and lets you enter a raffle with some really cool prizes ( electric bikes, Croisi’Europe cruises, etc.). Note that while the scavenger hunts are available year-round, the prizes are only offered during certain periods (generally during the warmer months).

Next , you choose the route you want to take, and off you go! The app guides you to the various checkpoints, with specific locations you need to visit to answer the questions.

I have to admit it took me a little while to get the hang of the app. It’s important to understand that some points are just recommended waypoints, while others are “mandatory” because that’s where you’ll answer the questions. There’s no GPS-style navigation between the points, but a map still helps you find your way. Navigation would be a plus in my opinion, but you can already get by just fine with the map, which shows the route to follow between two points.

When answering the questions, be sure to follow the instructions carefully (generally, you should enter only one word in lowercase, unless otherwise specified in the question). Once you submit your answer, you’ll find out whether you got it right or not, and you’ll see a short explanatory text to learn more about the place you visited. A correct answer earns you points, which increase your chances of winning prizes that are awarded via a random drawing among participants who have completed the tour. Motivating, isn’t it?

I tested the Strasbourg circuit!

As for me, I tried out the tour in Strasbourg and Kehl . Even though I know the city pretty well, it took me to some places I hadn’t been to before!

The route is quite long, but it offers a truly wonderful and fairly comprehensive tour of Strasbourg, during which you’ll discover the city’s many different sides: the Rhine port, the European Quarter, the canals, Neustadt, Petite France, and some off-the-beaten-path spots… I really enjoyed spending half a day exploring the city by bike, letting the app guide me.

As a bonus, there are a few gourmet addresses where you can take a break: I couldn’t resist an ice cream at Toscani’s on the way!