The Monk's Deception — Uncover Malizia's Fortress Gambit
Decode the legendary 1297 ruse: how did François Grimaldi seize the Genoese fortress disguised as a monk? Decipher clues hidden in Monaco's oldest monuments to expose the true strategy behind the Grimaldi dynasty's founding conquest.
📱 1 to 10 phones · 1 team per phone · Independent codes
In 1297, a Genoese fortress stood impregnable on the Rock of Monaco
The Monk's Deception — Uncover Malizia's Fortress Gambit
You are a 17th-century scholar, commissioned by Prince Honoré II in Monaco, 1640s, to investigate rumors of Spanish espionage.
Your quest begins in
Dive into the heart of Monaco-Ville to thwart a centuries-old conspiracy and unlock the secrets of the Genoese fortress transformed into the Prince's Palace.
« With God's Help »— Motto of the Principality of Monaco
The story that haunts this land
Your investigation begins at Port Hercule, a natural harbor developed since antiquity, with its current seawall built in 1971. It was here that Strabo, in the 1st century BC, mentioned a temple dedicated to Hercules Milo. You then ascend the Rampe Major, a 100-step staircase dating from the 18th century, leading to the historic heart of Monaco-Ville. This 2,000 m² paved square, built in the 13th century, was the scene of the proclamation of Monégasque independence by François Grimaldi in 1297, marking a turning point for the Rock of Monaco and the Grimaldi dynasty. The Monaco Courthouse, inaugurated in 1884, stands nearby, housing the Court of Revision since 1963.
At the Prince's Palace of Monaco, a Genoese fortress built from 1191 and transformed into a princely residence in the 15th century, you search for clues in the Red Room. This room is adorned with 17th-century Flemish tapestries and measures 12m by 8m. It was here that Prince Honoré II, reigning from 1599 to 1662, fortified defenses against Spanish attacks in 1633, thus protecting the historic site of Monaco-Ville. The changing of the guard, a daily tradition, has taken place here at 11:55 AM since 1967. Your mission then leads you towards the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, built between 1875 and 1903 in a Provençal Romanesque style, on the foundations of a 13th-century church.
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, with its 28-meter high facade and 42-meter bell tower completed in 1903, houses the tombs of Prince Rainier III (1923-2005) and Princess Grace (1929-1982), installed in 1982. A 32-stop organ, installed in 1995 by Orgues Lété of France, resonates beneath its vaults. Continuing your thematic circuit, you walk along the Saint-Martin Gardens, created in 1957 on a former 17th-century military bastion. This potential UNESCO World Heritage site offers 1.2 hectares and 200 Mediterranean plant species, testifying to the evolution of the Rock of Monaco, once a site of artillery batteries in 1793.
Your journey takes you to the Chapel of Mercy, a baroque chapel built in 1632 by the Blue Penitents for funerary services. Its interior, painted in 1730 with frescoes depicting the Virgin of Mercy, measures 15m long by 6m wide. It has been used for annual processions since 1666. This classified historical monument offers a unique perspective on the religious life and history of Monaco. Each step of this interactive visit brings you closer to the truth behind the court's intrigues, revealing the complexity of power and diplomacy in Monaco-Ville.
At the end of this exploration, you will have not only unmasked the plots threatening Prince Honoré II but also uncovered the secrets of an exceptional Monegasque heritage. From the Place du Palais, the heart of the historic quarter, where François Grimaldi proclaimed independence in 1297, to the fortifications of the Prince's Palace, every stone tells a story. This thematic circuit will have introduced you to the history of Monaco through its monuments, key dates, and emblematic figures, making this experience a true journey through time in the heart of Monaco-Ville.
A game, a guided tour and a heritage guide — all in one
You're not just buying an escape game. You're carrying a living guide — historical anecdotes, forgotten legends, key monuments, hidden architecture — unfolding as you go.
At each stop, places ordinary guides miss — secret façades, sculpted crests, alleys steeped in history.
Every riddle is rooted in a real historical fact or local legend. You leave with dozens of stories to tell.
Learn to read buildings — flamboyant Gothic, Baroque, Art Deco — like a real art historian, while having fun.
Walk through the city like a novel's character — every alley becomes a stage, every square a theatre.
A voice walks with you at every step, tells the story of each place, reads clues, adds a cinematic feel.
Keep access to the guide & game for 1 year. Come back any time, share it with friends.
« You will not leave this city the way you entered it. »
How does it work?
Explore the city on foot solving puzzles based on real historical facts. No locked room — the city is your playground.
No app to download. Play directly from your browser. Guided step by step, at your own pace.
One purchase per phone is enough. Play with family, friends or as a couple — everyone participates.
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears and speaks to you in your language. Golden letters magically write themselves on the wall to reveal the puzzle answer.
Stuck? Progressive personalised hints. The character repeats the puzzle on demand — at your own pace.
French, English, German, Spanish, Italian + 27 other languages auto-translated by AI.
The game downloads to your phone on start. Once the "✓ Downloaded" indicator appears, everything works without data — narration, AR, GPS and puzzles. Perfect abroad without a data plan.
Want to go deeper?
Places tied to your adventure — optional entries, totally up to you · per person
The Route
8 stages through the city
The gameplay: AR, camera, hidden clues
At each stop, open your phone camera: an augmented reality character appears on the façade and speaks your language. Hunt the clue — it materializes as golden letters on the real wall or floats in front of you. When you find it, the phone vibrates, an AR chest opens and reveals your answer fragment. 8 stops, 8 clues to find with the camera, 1 final code.
The stops on your route are a surprise. You'll discover them one by one, guided by your phone, starting from the meeting point.
How does it work with a group?
One phone = one team. Pick the number at checkout (1 to 10).
Solo, or a group sharing the screen. One team, one code.
Family, couple, or 2-3 teams competing. Each phone has its own code and its own score.
Friends, bachelor/bachelorette, small office outing — each their own code, each plays at their own pace. Tiered pricing then €6 flat per phone from the 6th.
- ✓All codes are independent — play at the same time OR separately, each team advances at its own pace.
- ✓Leaderboard between your teams + global game leaderboard — each score appears in the public ranking.
- ✓More than 10 phones or need a personalized quest? Discover custom tours.
Ready to live this adventure?
Get my code · 12€No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒 Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
Practical info
Why this route?
Military Strategy
Discover medieval conquest tactics.
Urban Exploration
Explore the historic alleyways of the Rock.
Family Crest
Follow the symbols of Genoa's powerful families.
Cunning is the sharpest weapon.
Decipher 'Malizia's' strategy.
9 features nobody else has
OddballTrip combines gamified play, augmented reality and AI. All our competitors deliver 1 or 2 of these angles. We deliver all 5.
AR treasure chest
A golden chest floats in front of the monument. Tap → opening animation → reveals a secret message.
AR narrator character
Point your phone at the façade: a knight, witch, monk, sailor, detective or ghost appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language with their dedicated ElevenLabs voice (each character has their own unique voice) — your living guide.
Magic golden letters
At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's the puzzle answer. An unforgettable visual effect.
Written + audio narration
Every puzzle available as text AND voice-over: read at your own pace or listen eyes-free while walking. Great in groups and for accessibility.
360° radar + vibration
A mini-radar shows the target even behind you, and the phone vibrates when you aim in the right direction.
Heritage storytelling
Every puzzle weaves in real historical facts (architecture, era, anecdotes). You learn by playing — like a gamified audioguide.
Progressive AI hints
3 levels of AI-generated help: vibe → where to look → answer format. You're never stuck.
AR selfie memento
At the end of the game, capture a selfie with OddballTrip banner + mascot, shareable on Instagram, TikTok.
Zero app to install
PWA technology: open the link, it plays in your browser. Same quality as an app, no App Store hassle.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Is this an outdoor escape game in Monaco-Ville, The Rock or a classic scavenger hunt?
Both at once: it's an outdoor escape game — team puzzles, narration, clues, final code — but in the streets of Monaco-Ville, The Rock, at your pace. The classic scavenger hunt mechanic plus augmented reality through the camera.
Q02Can we take a break mid-trail?
Of course. Stop at a café, have lunch, resume later: your progress is saved. Many players bake a meal break into the trail, especially with families.
Q03Do we need to be several people to enjoy it?
No, solo works very well. The outdoor escape game format in self-guided mode leaves room for introspection: read the story at your pace, hunt clues like a detective. 2-6 players is more social, solo is more contemplative.
Q04Is The Monk's Deception — Uncover Malizia's Fortress Gambit stroller-accessible?
Depends on the exact route in Monaco-Ville, The Rock. The vast majority of stops are downtown, on sidewalks or squares. If a stair or narrow passage is involved, it's flagged on the product page. Generally: yes, doable with a standard urban stroller.
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Dive into the heart of Monaco-Ville to thwart a centuries-old conspiracy and unlock the secrets of the Genoese fortress transformed into the Prince's Palace.
1 purchase = 1 phone. Play several on the same device.
No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
🪙+24 TripCoins granted with your booking
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