Overnight escape game FAQ
booking, pricing, lodging.

Marie-Victoire

The last mistress of the manor, born here in 1876, vanished in 1942. She is the figure around whom the scenario is built. The full story, in seven movements, lives on the page The story.

Fiction and fact

Marie-Victoire de Béthencourt is a character in the game. The manor, the Cambrésis, the lace, and we — Agathe and Guillaume — are very real. The seven-part account weaves the two together. You'll untangle them by playing.

The lace

The Cambrésis is one of the historic cradles of French lace. In Caudry, a few kilometres away, lace was made for haute couture, bridal veils and first-communion gowns. The scenario takes lace as its thread.

The secret

A lace-making technique that Marie-Victoire is said to have devised in the silence of the 1914-1918 occupation, and to have hidden before the manor was requisitioned in 1941. It's yours to find. We won't say more here.

The notary

Madame's notary. He meets you at the threshold on the day of your arrival and hands you the first key. The night begins with him.

Buying the manor

Yes. We — Agathe and Guillaume — bought the manor in 2024 to turn it into this place of play and hospitality. The letter dated January 11, 1942 was found during the renovation. The rest, you'll see when you come.

Visits outside the game

Not for now. The privatisation and the scenario don't sit well with separate public visits. Occasional open-house days are planned from 2027 onwards.

The all-inclusive price

From €169 per person, all included: 7 hours of play, dinner, overnight stay in twin room, breakfast. €135 per person during the Ulule campaign (early-backer perk, −20 %). Discount tier above 8 people.

How to book

Through the online form or by email at lesgrangesdebethencourt@gmail.com. A short exchange follows to confirm the date, the format and the number of participants.

Payment and split between players

100 % at booking, by card or bank transfer. You can split the payment between players: a single booker, each participant settles their share through a secure Stripe link. Handy so no one fronts the cost for the group.

Modifying a booking

Yes, up to 14 days before the session, subject to availability. Drop us a line and we'll sort it together.

Cancellation and rescheduling

Free cancellation up to 30 days before. Between 30 and 7 days, 50 % retained. Under 7 days, free rescheduling once, subject to availability.

Gift vouchers

Yes. Gift vouchers for a single seat or the full session, digital or printed, personalisable with a message.

Gift voucher validity

One year from purchase, extendable once by another year on request.

Minimum age

From age 12 with a responsible adult of 18+. Age 18 to play independently. The overnight format and the intensity of the game don't suit younger children.

Children under 12

The game itself starts at 12, but we can adapt if you have younger ones: on-site babysitting is offered for the night. Children in childcare do not take part in the game, but they count toward the 12-person limit at the manor.

Coming as two

The format is built for at least 6. As a duo, reach out: full privatisation is still possible on a 6-seat package.

Minimum to confirm

Yes, 6 players to launch the session. Below that, free rescheduling is offered.

Pets

Yes, the estate welcomes pets. Get in touch for the details. Service animals are of course welcome.

Special situations

Contact us before booking. The night is physical but the pace can be tempered, and the route can be adapted.

Wheelchair accessibility

The ground floor is on a single level (one bedroom, the dining hall and several game rooms). Contact us for a pre-visit, which is essential.

By train

Three nearby stations: Caudry (closest), Cambrai-Ville and Le Cateau-Cambrésis. TGV high-speed Haute-Picardie about an hour away by car. Taxi or shuttle on request, write to us a few days ahead to set it up.

Parking

Yes, free private parking along the estate.

Arrival time

Welcome between 6 pm and 7 pm on session day. Earlier arrival possible on request.

Running late

The session starts at the announced time. In case of a hitch, let us know, and we adapt where we can.

Les Secrets de Béthencourt

It's the name of our overnight escape game. A scenario of about seven hours, crafted by Chasseurs de Mystères for this very estate and this Cambrésis village. Heritage, mystery, puzzles: the night Béthencourt gives up its secrets.

Required level

No. The scenario adapts to your group. Observation, deduction, cooperation. No geek culture or mathematical logic required.

If you get stuck

A game master watches over the session until midnight. Hints on request, pacing tuned to your group. The point isn't winning or losing. It's making it through the night together.

Leaving the game at night

Yes, at any time. The game pauses, the bedrooms, common areas and outdoors stay accessible. It's immersion, not confinement.

Confinement

No. You move freely across the eleven rooms of the estate. At any moment, you can step out, get some air or head back to your room. Write to us for any specific need.

Sensory effects

Immersive atmosphere: dim lights, present soundtrack, a few surprises. No strobe lights, no horror scenes, no scary live actors. Adaptations possible on request.

Phones

Not during the game, immersion depends on it. Lockers available right after the threshold. The game master remains reachable for any family emergency until midnight.

Photos

Not during the game, both for immersion and to avoid spoiling future groups. Before and after, yes. We happily take a group photo before the night and at dawn.

Clothing

No dress code. Comfortable clothes recommended, with many hours of walking and handling. A light layer for the dawn chill and certain stages of the game. But if a dress code tempts you, by all means go for it.

Diets and allergies

The Cambrésis menu adapts to your booking: vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free, major allergies. Let us know 7 days before the session.

Alcohol

Yes, a selection of Cambrésis wines and beers. Moderation advised, the night still has to be lived.

Snacks and drinks

Yes. Small snacks, water and coffee available throughout the playing hours.

Bringing your own

We provide everything: birthday, bachelor/ette night, reunion. Let us know in advance: chilled storage, service, the moment staged for you.

The bedrooms

Six bedrooms for two, hotel-grade bedding, shared bathrooms per room. Estate-lodge feel, not hotel.

After the guided game

The guided game ends around midnight. After that, the night is yours: extend the exploration at your own pace, debrief together, or head to bed. Breakfast at the big table, rooms open until 10 am.

Room amenities

Yes: linen, hair dryer and welcome amenities in every room.

Room assignments

Yes, allocation happens at booking or on arrival. Six bedrooms for two, allocation up to you.

Wifi

Yes, in the bedrooms and common areas. Symbolically cut off in the game rooms, to preserve immersion.

Corporate pricing

Tailored quote within 48 hours. The price depends on the format (Night or Stay), group size and season. Discount tier above 8 people.

Privatisation

Yes, always. No other group running in parallel. The eleven game rooms, the six bedrooms, the table and the glass-roofed hall are yours alone.

Weekday availability

The Stay format runs Monday to Thursday, up to 5 consecutive days. The Night format remains available every night based on calendar.

Invoicing and conditions

Company invoice with VAT recoverable, service agreement for procurement teams. 30 % deposit at booking, balance on arrival.

Workspace and gear

Workspaces available. Presentation gear (projector, paperboard, screen) on prior request. Detailed in the quote.

Scenario customisation

For groups of 10 or more, integration of your theme or a team message into the puzzle is possible. To set up 6 weeks before the session.

Confidentiality

No external communication about your visit. NDA available on request. The estate is isolated, no overlooking neighbours.

Smaller corporate groups

Full privatisation is still possible, with a minimum-billing equivalent to 6 seats. Suited to inner-circle teams who want the full experience.