Discover Mons while playing! Escape game – The alchemist

Mons turns its streets into a mystery. This phone-led escape game gives you a playful way to explore the city while investigating Josyne, a villager accused of witchcraft. I like the private format, which lets your group of up to six work at its own pace, and I like the story choice at the heart of the game: defend Josyne or support the accusation.

The price is also appealing at $23.26 per group, not per person. The main consideration is the audience. The story and puzzle style may suit families with younger children better than a group of adults looking for a demanding escape-room challenge. Also, the activity details point to Mons, while one location label mentions Ghent, so check your booking carefully before setting out.

Key points to know before you play

• A walking mystery through Mons: You follow your smartphone to different points around the city and solve puzzles tied to the witchcraft case.
• A private group experience: Only your own group takes part, with up to six people allowed.
• A story with a real choice: You investigate Josyne’s accusation and decide whether to defend her or support the case against her.
• Flexible two-hour access: You can begin at any time between midnight and 11:30 p.m., according to the stated operating hours.
• Good value for a small group: The listed price is $23.26 for the whole group, making the cost low when shared among several people.
• Best for playful explorers: It suits families and friends who enjoy light puzzles, city walks, and teamwork more than serious historical guiding.

Starting at Place Saint-Germain in Mons

The game begins at Place Saint-Germain, in Mons, with the full address given as Pl. Saint-Germain, 7000 Mons, Belgium. From there, the mobile application guides you to the various points connected with the story.

That starting point matters because this is not a sit-down puzzle activity. You need to arrive ready to walk through city streets while keeping your phone available. The route is part of the game, so you are not simply solving clues in one room and then going home.

I would give your group a few minutes at the start to gather everyone, check phone batteries, and open the application. The game requires only a smartphone, but that phone is your map, instruction sheet, and puzzle companion. A low battery or poor preparation could make a simple challenge feel needlessly difficult.

One practical note deserves attention. The supplied location information identifies the activity as taking place in Ghent in one place, but the start, story, and end point all identify Mons. Use the Mons address as the working location, and double-check the confirmation details before you leave. That small check can prevent a very large wrong turn.

Following the app instead of a guide

The application leads you from one point of interest to another. You will receive the next part of the story and then face puzzles or missions connected with the people involved in Josyne’s case.

This format gives you more control than a traditional guided walk. You do not need to stay beside a guide or match another group’s pace. If your team wants to pause, discuss a clue, or take a short break, the private setup makes that easier.

The tradeoff is that the app cannot read the mood of your group. A human guide might offer a hint, explain a confusing detail, or add local context. Here, your team must manage its own pace and solve its own problems. That is part of the fun for some people, but it can frustrate a group that prefers clear explanations.

I like the way this setup turns the city into an active game board. You are not just looking at sights while someone else talks. You are paying attention to your surroundings because the next task may depend on reaching the right place or noticing the right detail.

Still, you should not expect a conventional historical tour. The main purpose is the mystery and the teamwork. Any city discovery comes through the route and the game story rather than through a long explanation of Mons landmarks.

The witchcraft case and Josyne’s story

The central plot concerns Josyne, a villager accused of witchcraft. You play an alchemist investigating why the accusation was made and trying to uncover what really happened.

That premise gives the activity a clear goal. You are not solving unrelated riddles placed around town. The puzzles come from witnesses connected with the case, so each task helps you build an understanding of the accusation.

The most interesting feature is the final choice. You can defend Josyne, or you can support the accusation. This adds a little moral tension to what might otherwise be a simple city scavenger hunt. You are asked not only to find answers, but also to think about how the evidence affects your judgment.

I would especially recommend this format for a group that enjoys discussing possibilities out loud. One person may focus on the wording of a clue, another may notice a detail at a location, and someone else may keep track of the story. The group can make the investigation feel lively even when a puzzle takes time.

The supplied information does not explain the exact ending or how much the choice changes the result. That is useful for preserving the mystery, but it also means you should not book this expecting a detailed theatrical performance. The experience is built around the app, the walking route, and your group’s response to the clues.

What the two-hour route feels like

The estimated duration is about two hours. That is long enough to make the activity feel like a proper outing, but short enough to fit into a day of sightseeing in Mons.

You can access the game for two hours at any time between midnight and 11:30 p.m., according to the listed hours. This unusual schedule gives you plenty of freedom. You might play during the day, start after lunch, or use it as an evening activity.

The flexible timing is useful for families and friend groups with different schedules. It also lets you avoid forcing the game into a fixed departure time. On the other hand, the listing does not provide a detailed route length or exact number of stops, so you should not plan another appointment too tightly against the two-hour estimate.

Because the experience takes place outdoors in city streets, your enjoyment will also depend on your group’s energy and interest in walking. The stated duration is approximate, not a promise that every team will finish at exactly the same moment. A fast group may move through the puzzles quickly, while a group that likes to debate every clue may use the full time.

Plan to keep your phone easy to reach and your attention on the instructions. This is not an activity where you can leave the application in a pocket and simply follow someone else.

Why the private format works well

The game is private, with only your group participating. That is a major advantage at this price, especially if you are traveling with family or close friends.

A group of up to six is large enough for teamwork without becoming unwieldy. With six people, you can divide tasks and compare ideas. With only two or three, everyone has a clearer role and the decisions feel more personal.

The ideal group is probably one where people are comfortable solving problems together. You will need to talk, test ideas, and decide what to do next. If one person takes over the phone and refuses to share the clues, the format will work less well. Pass the phone around and let different people lead different puzzles.

The private setup also removes the pressure of performing in front of strangers. That helps younger participants, shy players, or anyone who wants to take a guess without worrying about an audience.

There is a small downside. A private game depends heavily on the energy of your own group. A strong team can make the experience lively, while a group with little interest in puzzles may find the walking and phone use less exciting. Choose this for people who actually want to play, not for a group hoping for a passive tour.

Who will enjoy The Alchemist most

This activity should suit families, friends, and casual groups who want to see Mons in a different way. It is particularly attractive if you like city walks but want a clear purpose beyond taking photographs or following a standard sightseeing route.

The story may also appeal to children who enjoy mysteries, role-play, and making choices. The available feedback suggests that the format may connect better with younger children than with some adults in their twenties and thirties. That does not mean adults cannot enjoy it. It does mean that a group seeking a difficult, highly competitive escape game may find the tone lighter than expected.

I would choose it for:

• Families who want children involved in the city walk
• Friends who enjoy puzzles and group decisions
• Couples looking for a private activity with a clear story
• Visitors with about two hours free in Mons
• People who prefer flexible timing to a fixed tour departure

I would think twice if your main goal is expert historical commentary, an indoor escape-room atmosphere, or a high-pressure challenge. The available details focus on play, movement, witnesses, and missions rather than detailed local instruction.

Value at $23.26 per group

At $23.26 for up to six people, the pricing is one of the strongest features. Split between six people, the cost is only about $3.88 each. Even with four people, it works out to roughly $5.82 per person.

That is good value for a two-hour private activity, provided your group enjoys the format. You are paying for a self-guided story and a city-based puzzle route, not for a personal guide or a long list of included services.

The low group price also makes it easier to add this to a day in Mons without spending heavily. Families can get a shared activity rather than paying separate admission for every person. Friends can use it as a structured way to spend time together.

Value depends on expectations. If you want a polished theatrical production with actors, sets, and direct assistance, this will not offer the same kind of experience. If you want an inexpensive way to walk through Mons with a mystery to solve, the price is much more convincing.

The private booking is especially important here. You are not paying a small fee to join a crowded group. Your booking is for your own team, and that gives the activity a more relaxed feel.

Timing, transport, and practical preparation

The meeting point is near public transportation, which makes the start convenient for people arriving without a car. The activity finishes back at the meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup at the end.

The operating window is listed as Monday through Sunday, from midnight until 11:30 p.m., for the stated availability period. Since the details describe two hours of access, choose a start time that fits your plans and leaves room for the full activity.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The information does not provide detailed accessibility notes, route surfaces, or step-free guarantees, so contact the provider if your group has specific mobility needs.

Coddy is the provider. Confirmation is received at booking, and free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.

For a smoother outing, I would:

• Check that your booking shows Mons and Place Saint-Germain
• Charge the phone before beginning
• Keep the confirmation easy to access
• Allow the full two-hour window
• Bring the whole group together before opening the game
• Avoid scheduling another activity immediately afterward

These are small steps, but they matter more in an app-led activity than in a standard guided visit.

How this compares with an ordinary city walk

A normal city walk asks you to look, listen, and follow. The Alchemist asks you to act. That difference can make familiar streets feel more engaging, especially for children who may lose interest during a long explanation.

The game also gives your group a shared task. Instead of deciding where to go next, you have a reason to keep moving. The story supplies momentum, while the puzzles give everyone something to discuss.

You give up some local explanation in exchange. The application leads you through Mons, but the supplied information does not promise a guide who will explain every building, event, or historical detail. If you want a strong introduction to the city’s past, combine this with a separate sightseeing plan.

I see the activity as a playful add-on rather than a complete visit to Mons. It can help you get out and explore, then leave you with time to see more of the city at your own pace.

Should you book The Alchemist?

Book it if you want a low-cost, private mystery that gets your group walking through Mons. The strongest reasons are the flexible timing, the group price, and the story choice involving Josyne’s accusation.

Choose it with younger family members or playful friends rather than a group expecting a serious escape-room test. The experience may feel too light for adults who want complex puzzles or detailed guiding, but it can be a pleasant way to add structure and teamwork to a city visit.

Before paying, confirm the Mons meeting point and make sure everyone is happy using a smartphone for the activity. If that suits your group, The Alchemist offers a fun two-hour change from ordinary sightseeing at a very reasonable shared price.

FAQ

Where does The Alchemist begin?

It begins at Place Saint-Germain, Pl. Saint-Germain, 7000 Mons, Belgium.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity finishes back at the meeting point in Mons.

How long does the experience take?

The estimated duration is about two hours.

What time can I play?

You can access the game for two hours at any time between midnight and 11:30 p.m., from Monday through Sunday, according to the stated operating hours.

How many people can join one booking?

A private group can include up to six people.

What do I need to take part?

You only need a smartphone to play.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your own group participates.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.