Mazarin and the Guardians of the Secret: our review of the immersive puzzle game at the BnF Richelieu

WhileArsène Lupin strolls around the Opera, Cardinal Mazarin takes center stage at the BnF Richelieu in a new immersive game from Cultival , starting November 15, 2025. You will have to solve puzzles in a life-size adventure lasting nearly an hour and a half, in the heart of the museum and library collections, to discover a well-kept secret and become its guardian. In teams of 2 to 6 players, you will be guided through the galleries by an actor playing the role of a researcher!

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Who says museums are boring places? Immersive theater, investigative games, murder parties: there are plenty of fun activities to be found in museums and monuments throughout Paris and the Île-de-France region! [Read more]

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A lost treasure, hidden books to find, ancient maps to decode: this is what awaits you in this modern treasure hunt at the heart of history and this jewel of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, through the Galerie Mazarin, the Cabinet Précieux, and the Salle Ovale. Each team has a piece of the puzzle, and only by putting your discoveries together can the secret of Mazarin, who has a gallery named after him in the monument, finally be revealed.

Whether you're a family (aged 10 and over) or a group of friends, this new mystery needs your help to uncover it, in an immersive adventure that's a cross between an escape game and a treasure hunt, allowing you to rediscover the Richelieu site from another angle, in all its nooks and crannies, through stages that will put your intelligence to the test! Available by reservation only at weekends, this game is scheduled to run for several seasons.

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The Plot

While carrying out research for a heritage enhancement project, a researcher at the Richelieu site uncovers a surprising element at the heart of an ancient document, which leads him to an unpublished testament of Cardinal Mazarin, evoking the existence of a hidden treasure, concealed somewhere in the former palace. It seems that for generations, Guardians of the Secret have watched over this legacy, concealing subtle clues throughout the museum's Collections and the spaces of the Richelieu site. But as his research progresses, he senses that he is no longer alone. Strange things are happening: his researcher's card has been deactivated, his works are nowhere to be found, suspicious looks are being cast... he realizes that he must now entrust the rest of the investigation to others. It's up to you to take up the torch.

Our Review

Just like its predecessor at the Opéra, this treasure hunt is a fantastic concept — a project that took years of hard work to develop and offers a fun, engaging way to explore a historic site: the BnF Richelieu. Perfectly suited for families, it combines entertainment with education, making it accessible to all families. The adventure kicks off in a quiet corner, where, for the duration of the game, players become authentic secret agents. You'll need to be discreet! Whether you're alone or with loved ones, you'll form a team, handed a box that contains different clues depending on your group.

This setup naturally discourages cheating—trying to copy answers from your neighbors will only lead to mistakes! Plus, it makes the experience more interactive, requiring everyone to actively participate to solve their puzzle within the given time and contribute to the overall mystery. And the fun is that you can come back for a second round — the puzzles won't be exactly the same, though the solution remains the same.

Inside the backpack — a practical, portable kit — you'll find a library map, a notepad, and an enigmas booklet, among other things. As you work through the clues, which are quite accessible for most, as long as you're focused, you'll wander through various rooms, trying to navigate efficiently to gather and note all key elements. Throughout, you'll learn about Mazarin, building a book rating chart while engaging with the art and architecture around you.

This activity pushes you to use the exhibited works, observe the ceilings, and think creatively at every turn of the monument. Among the teams, actors wander around ready to lend a hand if you get truly stuck. Without giving too much away, we loved discovering the final item in an intellectually stimulating environment where the game blends seamlessly with the beauty of the surroundings!

Armed with your clues, you'll head toward the meeting point, wait for the other teams, and then continue the adventure in another wing of the building, where you'll meet the creator of this hunt. Together, you'll uncover the true nature of the treasure — which isn't what you might first imagine (spoiler: it's not crown jewels!). The secret agent aspect adds a fun dimension, often prompting quiet whispers of conspiracy among groups or actors.

Afterward, you're free to explore the rooms you haven't seen and learn even more about this temple of knowledge. The game brilliantly highlights this aspect, turning the treasure hunt into an educational experience. Keep in mind, this isn’t a typical escape game — it involves minimal object manipulation and focuses mainly on observation and deduction. Those not fond of participative activities might find it less enjoyable; it’s important to fully engage to get the most out of it!

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