Scavenger Hunt in Uzes

This morning, while I practiced violin, Frances and Daddy staged the first of two scavenger hunts around the old town of Uzes. Mommy and I were going to hunt first and then after lunch, Daddy and I would set the course and Mommy and Frances would hunt.

A Euro was wrapped in each hint. Each hint was a slip of yellow paper.




Frances says, "It was so fun to set up. We went from each place to another. But before we wrote the note for one spot, we had to go to the next spot to see if those directions would work."




Hints were everywhere: in tunnels, tiny alleys, in fountains, under rocks, in reeds, in hinges, in drinking fountains, below gargoyles, behind the counter in candy shops, in pink toy cars, in doggy bag dispensers, in little red windows, in walls, in drainage pipes, in medieval gardens, in the Duke's castle's columns, in parking "pawns," under pots, and on church cork bullentin boards.


Now I'll tell you what the slips of paper said. This was the one Frances and my dad set up for Mommy and me.




1. Find our building's greatest view and there your first clue will be waiting for you.

2. Find the biggest building in Austerlitz and look for the place where the rain comes out.

3. Great. Now go to the oldest garden in town. Don't enter just look around.

4. Now go down the steepest street in town and wish for water.

5. This fountain is closed. Go drink some potable water.


6. Go up the stairs, don't sit on the bench. Find the pawn that tried to move.


7. Look for the cork. Check out the events at the church.


8. I love pots made in Uzes (Daddy drew a picture of two feather-like objects on either side of the word Uzes)


9. Go where cars can't go to a fountain by a jewler we know.


10. Where the Duke's gargoyles puke is where you'll find your next clue.


11. Go to the town's most famous square. Find a fountain there.


12. Now with your money you've collected, buy us hot chocolate!

This was the hunt that Daddy and I set up while Frances was playing her piano.




1. What does Place d'Austerlitz and Meadow Park have in common? Go down and see.


2. A woman who knows a lot about candy has a note for you.


3. If I had a little car, it would be pink.


4. 63 steps through the tunnel of lollipops, past the 4 barrels, deep in the reeds, stuck in the rocks.


5. It's a good day to go to the movies.


6. Go visit the Duke, but don't go in, go Greek!


7. Across the street from where the gargoyles puke is a big wooden door; the adventure hinges upon you finding the note.

8. NOT THIS DOOR SILLY! GO UP THE STAIRS!


9. Go down the street and take a left to a little alley. Look under a rock near #3


10. Continue on to the end of the rue. Look for a tunnel that you will go through. Don't forget to peep through the little red window!


11. GREAT JOB. Now, you are done. Please, really, buy hot chocolate for everyone!




After a day of hunting, we came home and filmed a silly commercial for the French version the John Ascuaga's Nugget, called Jean Ascuag's La Nugatine. Details to come.

It is 21:50 in France right now. And I want to go to bed.



Good night!



Eleanore