REVIEW · LIEGE
Discover Durbuy by playing! Escape game – The alchemist
Book on Viator →Operated by Coddy · Bookable on Viator
A mystery game on Durbuy’s streets sounds fun. The Alchemist turns the town into a puzzle board, with you acting as an alchemist pulled into a witchcraft accusation. I like the way the story keeps moving with real moments of investigation, and I like the payoff where you walk away with a photo summary of what you solved. One thing to consider: Durbuy’s layout can make the route feel like a loop, so if you hate repeating the same streets, this may feel a bit circular.
Plan for about 2 hours outdoors. You’ll get a mobile ticket, it runs in English, and you can reach support through the Coddy app if you get stuck. Just bring a smartphone with battery, because the game needs your device and there’s no food or drink provided.
In This Review
- Key Things You Should Know Before You Go
- The Alchemist in Durbuy: A Witchcraft Mystery You Solve by Walking
- Where You Start in Durbuy (and Why the Meeting Point Matters)
- The 2-Hour Flow: How The Game Generally Unfolds
- Stop 1: Anticline and Your First Set of Clues
- The Streets as the Game Board: Expect a Walk That Feels Like a Loop
- Solving Witness Puzzles: What the Challenge Feels Like
- The Big Moment: Defend Josyne or Support the Witchcraft Accusation
- Using the Coddy App: Mobile Ticket, Live Chat Support, and Practical Tech Tips
- Price and Value: Is $23.66 per Group Worth It?
- Who This Escape Game Suits Best in Durbuy
- Logistics That Matter Day-of (Without the Stress)
- Should You Book The Alchemist in Durbuy?
- FAQ
- What is The Alchemist escape game about?
- How long does the game take?
- Is it offered in English?
- How much does it cost?
- Where do we meet?
- Do we get food or drink included?
- Do I need my own smartphone?
- What if we get stuck?
- Is this a private activity?
Key Things You Should Know Before You Go

- Urban escape game on Durbuy streets: clues and puzzles are designed for walking, not sitting in one spot.
- Story-driven choices: you’ll weigh evidence and decide whether to defend Josyne or support the witchcraft accusation.
- 7/7 support via Coddy: live chat is there if you need a hand.
- Anticline is your first named stop: the game begins with an initial clue location before it fans out through town.
- Works for kids and adults: the game format is light enough for younger players, but still has challenge baked in.
The Alchemist in Durbuy: A Witchcraft Mystery You Solve by Walking

This isn’t a themed museum tour. It’s closer to a city-sized board game where your feet do the navigating. You play the part of an alchemist investigating a strange accusation of witchcraft made by a village girl. The town becomes the witness list.
As you move through the streets, you’re not just collecting trivia—you’re solving. Each puzzle points you toward what’s really going on, and you’ll get nudges along the way if you’re stuck. I like that. It means you can focus on the story without feeling like every step depends on guessing in the dark.
And the ending isn’t only about finishing. You’re asked to make a decision: will you defend Josyne, or back the accusation? That choice makes the final part feel more like reasoning than just answering.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Liege.
Where You Start in Durbuy (and Why the Meeting Point Matters)

You’ll meet at Place aux Foires, Pl. aux Foires, 6940 Durbuy, Belgium. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which is part of why the experience can feel circular through the town.
That loop has a practical benefit. It’s easier to plan around—once you start, you don’t have to wonder where you’ll end up. It also means you can fit this into an afternoon and still have time to wander Durbuy afterward on your own.
Look at your start time and build in a little slack. This kind of game works best when you’re not rushing. Even if you’re quick at puzzles, walking pace and group discussion add time.
The 2-Hour Flow: How The Game Generally Unfolds

The duration is listed at about 2 hours. In practice, your pace will depend on your group and how quickly you work through puzzles. Some people may finish sooner than planned, especially if everyone clicks with the puzzle style right away.
Here’s the rhythm you should expect:
You start with an initial clue location (the first named stop is Anticline). Then you move through town solving puzzles set by different witnesses in the witchcraft story. At each step, clues are included to help you get unstuck. Those hints are important. They’re usually the difference between a fun challenge and a frustrating search.
Finally, you reach the wrap-up phase where your results get turned into a summary of the adventure with photos. That photo recap is a nice touch because it gives you a quick keepsake of where you went and what you did.
Stop 1: Anticline and Your First Set of Clues

Your game kicks off at Anticline—it’s the only explicitly named stop in the route details, which tells you it’s meant to be your anchor point. Expect the first moment to set the tone: you’ll gather early information and start connecting the story dots that will matter later.
Why does this matter? The first step of any escape game shapes your confidence. If your group gets a clear start and understands how to interact with the clue system, the rest tends to feel smoother. If the first stop is confusing, people usually start racing ahead or slowing down too much.
At Anticline, your job is simple: solve what you can, follow what the clue suggests, and keep the group aligned. Don’t overthink it early. You’ll learn the logic of the game as you move.
The Streets as the Game Board: Expect a Walk That Feels Like a Loop

This is an urban escape game played on the streets of Durbuy, and the route is designed so you move around the center and come back to where you started. That’s part of the fun for many people because it turns a walk through town into a story you’re actively participating in.
But there’s also a drawback to be honest about. Because Durbuy is small, you may notice you pass some streets more than once. One reviewer described it as going around in circles, and that’s a fair warning.
My practical advice: go into it with the mindset of a loop walk. If you enjoy strolling, checking small details, and discussing clues as you go, the repetition won’t bother you. If your travel style is more about maximizing novelty per minute, you’ll want to treat this as story-first rather than route-first.
Solving Witness Puzzles: What the Challenge Feels Like

The puzzles aren’t described as brain-melters, but they’re not purely kid-level either. One set of reviews noted that search tasks were harder than expected—still fun, still solvable, just with an actual challenge element.
Here’s what I’d expect for your group:
- You’ll likely discuss answers as a team. The game is built for shared problem-solving.
- There are clues at every step, so you should feel guided rather than trapped.
- The difficulty might feel easier if your group is very puzzle-savvy, or if you solve fast together.
If you’re bringing kids, this matters. You want a game where younger players can still contribute. Since the format includes built-in help and a fun storyline, it’s often a better fit than a hardcore escape room style challenge.
The Big Moment: Defend Josyne or Support the Witchcraft Accusation

The story choice is the emotional hook. You’re investigating why Josyne—presented as the village girl making the accusation—ends up at the center of witchcraft claims.
What makes this part work is the structure: puzzles come from witnesses. That framing nudges you to think like an investigator. You’re not just collecting codes. You’re weighing what the evidence could mean.
By the end, you’ll choose how to interpret the truth: defend Josyne or support the accusation of witchcraft. If your group likes discussion and debating possibilities, this is where they’ll lean in.
Using the Coddy App: Mobile Ticket, Live Chat Support, and Practical Tech Tips

The experience uses a mobile ticket, and support is available 7/7 through the Coddy app. There’s also live chat access if you need help during the game.
That support changes the feel of the activity. You don’t have to worry as much about being stuck for ages. Instead, you can ask for guidance and keep the adventure moving.
Two practical notes before you start:
- Bring a smartphone and make sure it’s charged. A working battery matters, especially if you’ll be outdoors and walking.
- You’ll want your group to settle on one person to manage the phone. Otherwise, you’ll lose time passing it around while you search for the right screen.
Also plan for the fact that the game is listed as offered in English. If your group mixes languages, you’ll still have a common instruction language to work from.
Price and Value: Is $23.66 per Group Worth It?
The price is listed as $23.66 per group (up to 6), and the duration is around 2 hours. In value terms, that pricing makes sense for two reasons.
First, it’s per group, not per person. If you have a small group of friends or a family with kids, you’re getting multiple people engaged in one payment.
Second, you’re buying time outdoors with a structured activity. Durbuy is small, so a paid experience that turns a walk into something interactive can feel like better use of your afternoon than just wandering without a plan.
The only value downside is time pressure. If your group is fast at puzzles, you might finish sooner than the full 2 hours. Even then, the photo summary still gives you a clear end point to the activity.
Who This Escape Game Suits Best in Durbuy
This works especially well if you want a light, story-led activity you can do in one afternoon. Based on the type of feedback shared about the game, it tends to land well for:
- Families with kids who can handle short bursts of puzzle work and enjoy a storyline
- Friend groups who like walking together and solving things as a team
- Visitors who want a different lens on Durbuy, using facts and clues tied to the town while you play
If you’re traveling solo, you can still participate, but the game is designed around group collaboration. If you go solo, consider teaming up mentally—move slowly, and use support if you’re not getting anywhere.
Logistics That Matter Day-of (Without the Stress)
The game runs on a published schedule that lists Monday through Sunday from 12:00 AM to 11:30 PM. In plain terms: you should have lots of time options during your stay.
The start is near public transportation, so you don’t need a car to make this easy. And it’s a private activity, meaning only your group participates.
One more note: service animals are allowed. If you’re traveling with one, that’s a plus for planning.
Should You Book The Alchemist in Durbuy?
Book it if you want an outdoor activity with a clear story, built-in help, and a walking route that feels like part game, part town tour. The best case is a small group that likes discussion—because the ending choice (defend Josyne or support the accusation) turns the final moment into something you’ll talk about on the way out.
Skip it or think twice if you hate repeating streets. Because Durbuy is small and the route can feel loop-like, the novelty factor depends on your walking style. Also consider your group’s puzzle comfort level: if you’re hoping for a super tough challenge, you might find the puzzle difficulty more friendly than intense.
If you’re after a fun, structured way to experience Durbuy while solving a mystery in English, this is a solid pick.
FAQ
What is The Alchemist escape game about?
You play an alchemist investigating a witchcraft accusation made by a village girl named Josyne. You solve puzzles linked to different witnesses to uncover the reasons behind the accusation and decide whether to defend Josyne or support the witchcraft claim.
How long does the game take?
The duration is listed as about 2 hours.
Is it offered in English?
Yes, the experience is offered in English.
How much does it cost?
The price is $23.66 per group, for groups up to 6 people.
Where do we meet?
You start at Place aux Foires, Pl. aux Foires, 6940 Durbuy, Belgium, and you finish back at the same meeting point.
Do we get food or drink included?
No. Food and drink are not included.
Do I need my own smartphone?
Yes. A smartphone and battery are not included, and you’ll use your own phone during the game.
What if we get stuck?
You can use the Coddy app for live chat support, and online support is listed as available 7/7.
Is this a private activity?
Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates.












