Corte — Paoli's Lost Oath
Uncover the hidden fragments of Pascal Paoli's sacred oath, sworn in 1755 to forge Corsica's short-lived republic. Decode symbols across Corte's historic heart to reveal the revolutionary vow before it fades forever.
📱 1 to 10 phones · 1 team per phone · Independent codes
In 1755, amid the narrow streets of Corte, Pascal Paoli rallied Corsican patriots against Genoese rule
Corte — Paoli's Lost Oath
You are a Corsican archivist, commissioned by Pasquale Paoli himself in 1765 to recover the Republic of Corsica's founding oath, lost during the troubles with Genoa.
Your
Delve into the heart of independent Corsica, following the footsteps of Pasquale Paoli, the "Father of the Homeland," in the historic capital of Corte.
« Liberty is the right of every man to do all that which does not harm another. »— Pasquale Paoli, Corsican Constitution of 1755
The story that haunts this land
Your journey begins at Place Pasquale Paoli, the beating heart of Corte. It is here, at the foot of Paoli's statue, inaugurated in 1879 and sculpted by Jean-Baptiste Frassati, that political gatherings of the Corsican Republic (1755-1769) came alive. This square, named in honor of the founder of the University of Corte in 1765, is the ideal starting point to understand the city's role as the historic capital of Corsica. The 4-meter high statue of Paoli dominates the site, recalling the imprint of this key figure of classified Corsican heritage on the island's history.
The path then leads you to the Palais National, today the University of Corsica Pasquale Paoli. This building, constructed in 1450 and restored in the 18th century, was where Paoli took his oath as consul in 1755, marking the beginning of independence. In 1765, he founded the first university in Corsica here, now hosting 4,000 students. This major Pasquale Paoli site is a Historic Monument, and its walls still whisper the debates and decisions that forged the Corsican nation, a pillar of any visit to Corte.
Your quest continues towards the Corte Citadel, a 15th-century fortress overlooking the Restonica and Tavignano valleys. From 1755 to 1769, it was Pasquale Paoli's residence and the seat of the independent Corsican government. Classified as a Historic Monument in 1984, its 2-hectare plateau also served as a prison for Corsican resistance fighters in the 19th century. The Citadel is a symbol of resistance and the history of Corte, offering a panorama of the "eagle's nest" and the city of art and history it represents.
The Old Saint-François Convent, founded in 1425 and rebuilt after a fire in 1564, is another landmark on this Corte treasure hunt. Its single-nave church and 16th-century cloister, classified as a Historic Monument in 1985, have a history linked to Paoli. During the war of independence (1768-1769), it was used as a military hospital. The family chapel houses the tombs of several members of the Paoli family, a personal testimony to the Corsican head of state's legacy in this city. This site, though religious, is inseparable from Pasquale Paoli's journey.
Finally, the Pont Vieux, a 16th-century medieval stone bridge over the Fango stream, marks the end of your journey. Before the construction of the ramparts in 1764, it was the only access to the Citadel district. Restored in 1998, this 18-meter long bridge symbolizes Corte's perseverance through the ages. Your family exploration of Corte will have allowed you to retrace Pasquale Paoli's epic, from Place Pasquale Paoli to the Citadel, passing by the National Palace and the convents. You leave with a deep understanding of the history of Corte, the historic capital of Corsica, and the challenges of a nation in search of freedom.
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.
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?
Forgotten Decree
Find the fragments of a founding text that sealed the identity and ideals of free Corsica.
Paolian Architecture
Explore the buildings that were the beating heart of the Corsican Republic, witnesses to its audacity and brief glory.
Strategic Landscapes
Understand how the mountainous terrain shaped the battles for independence and the defense of the Corsican nation.
Liberty or death!
The motto of Corsican patriots
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
Q01Do I need to download an app?
No, never. You get a link, you click, it plays in your browser. That's the point of a PWA: same as an app, without the hassle.
Q02Does it work offline?
GPS yes (handled by your phone). Maps yes (tiles cached). AI and hints need an intermittent 4G connection.
Q03How long does a game take?
1 h 30 to 2 h 30 depending on your pace. The timer runs but only for the leaderboard — you play at your own tempo.
Q04What happens if I'm stuck?
You get 3 levels of hints per puzzle (increasing penalty). If truly stuck, you can skip the step (45-min penalty but you keep going).
Q05What's the age range?
From 12 without an adult, from 6 with an adult reading puzzles. Works for families, couples, friend groups, companies.
Q06What if my city isn't in the catalogue?
Pre-register or contact us — we'll email you as soon as your city is live.
Q07What is augmented reality exactly?
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language. At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's your answer. After each puzzle solved, a treasure chest floats in front of you. Seeing is believing.
Avis des aventuriers
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Your turn to play
Delve into the heart of independent Corsica, following the footsteps of Pasquale Paoli, the "Father of the Homeland," in the historic capital of Corte.
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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