The Cursed Lovers: Our Review of the Fantastical Escape Game at the Donjon de Paris

The Dungeon of Paris introduces Les Amants Maudits, an escape game blending romance and mystery. Suitable for players aged 12 and up, the adventure takes place in immersive underground settings. We tried it out—here's everything you need to know!

A curse, a medieval setting, and a mystery to solve... Located in the underground tunnels of the Donjon de Paris, Les Amants Maudits is a romantic and fantastical escape game. Players find themselves immersed in a recreated medieval world, following a storyline centered on lifting a curse with the help of a butler. The experience emphasizes straightforward storytelling, accessible puzzles, and immersive scenery.

Synopsis of the Les Amants Maudits escape game at the Donjon de Paris :

" Immerse yourself in a quest steeped in mystery as you answer the call of a mysterious stranger posing as a butler. He implores your help to break a curse that has haunted his master since the tragic loss of his beloved. To find the key to this enigma, you'll have to enter a secret, closely-guarded place to retrieve a precious souvenir. Despite the fact that no one is allowed in, you accept out of compassion and prepare for your long-awaited appointment. The butler will be waiting for you in front of the Funeral Services, ready to guide you through the sinister underworld where you will expose yourself to the wrath of his master.

An experience for curious gamers and lovers of dark atmospheres

A room we recently explored: the experience kicks off just a short walk from the metro station. A courteous butler greets you at a designated meeting point and guides you into the escape room, subtly tucked away from plain sight. And so, the adventure begins in a dimly lit corridor...

Let’s get straight to the point: Who is it for? This adventure is suitable for ages 12 and up when accompanied by an adult, or from 16 years old onwards if you're going solo. The romantic and tragic universe will particularly appeal to fans of tragic stories, as well as those seeking an immersive and "chilling" experience — without any overt horror elements. Even if you’re not a big fan of tense moments, rest assured: there are no jump scares or outright terrifying scenes. You might feel a bit rushed, and you’ll need to stay silent and still to avoid attracting the plague doctors — which can be a little stressful — but aside from that, no worries. Is it difficult? That depends on your experience level, but the challenge is designed to suit beginners and intermediate players, with adjustments available based on the group. Keep in mind, a game master will guide you through the experience, customizing the pace and difficulty as the story unfolds.

Is it stunning? The set designs, crafted by professional theatre and film set designers, genuinely draw players into immersion right from the moment participants arrive. So yes, it’s quite beautiful (though that’s ultimately a matter of personal opinion). We won't spoil the final rooms for you, but those with their unique, unconventional designs are sure to leave a strong impression — wow.

Les Amants Maudits : l’escape game romantico-fantastique du Donjon de Paris — ©Le Donjon de Paris

A word of caution: wear comfortable clothes you don't mind getting dirty... And there's a good reason for that: you'll be crawling through tight spaces and lying down multiple times (making it inaccessible for those with reduced mobility). It's not so much about the mess as it is about your comfort, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Alongside that, the puzzles aren't particularly difficult—though understanding them at first glance is part of the challenge. A little tip: search everywhere, really everywhere... Some hiding spots are brilliantly concealed. There’s also a room that will definitely bring a breath of fresh air during those hot summer days... You’ll see what I mean once you experience it. A new version of this room is now available—whether you've played it before or not, you won't want to miss it!

Escape games: information and best practices

As a quick reminder, an escape game is an immersive real-life adventure where teams have to solve puzzles, manipulate objects, activate mechanisms, and uncover secret passages to move from one room to another within a set time limit. The Les Amants Maudits room at Donjon de Paris is designed for groups of 2 to 6 players. It’s suitable for ages 12 and up, with a restriction for those under 16 to be accompanied by an adult.

The experience is not recommended for people who are pregnant, epileptic, claustrophobic or have reduced mobility, due to certain special effects and cramped passageways. The experience is not offered in English. We advise you to arrive a few minutes before the start of the session, to ensure a warm welcome.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.

This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.