diff --git a/src/test/test_aladin.py b/src/test/test_aladin.py
index 46edd038..d584053a 100644
--- a/src/test/test_aladin.py
+++ b/src/test/test_aladin.py
@@ -1,9 +1,20 @@
+from astropy.coordinates import Angle, SkyCoord
 import pytest
-from astropy.coordinates import Angle
+from typing import Callable
 
 from ipyaladin import Aladin
 from ipyaladin.coordinate_parser import parse_coordinate_string
 
+aladin = Aladin()
+
+
+# monkeypatched sesame call to avoid remote access during tests
+@pytest.fixture
+def mock_sesame(monkeypatch: Callable) -> None:
+    """Sesame calls mocked."""
+    monkeypatch.setattr(SkyCoord, "from_name", lambda _: SkyCoord(0, 0, unit="deg"))
+
+
 test_aladin_string_target = [
     "M 31",
     "sgr a*",
@@ -31,11 +42,12 @@
     "G90 0",
     "B60 30",
     "B120 -45",
+    "Galactic Center",
 ]
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("target", test_aladin_string_target)
-def test_aladin_string_target_set(target: str) -> None:
+def test_aladin_string_target_set(target: str, mock_sesame: Callable) -> None:  # noqa: ARG001
     """Test setting the target of an Aladin object with a string or a SkyCoord object.
 
     Parameters
@@ -44,7 +56,6 @@ def test_aladin_string_target_set(target: str) -> None:
         The target string.
 
     """
-    aladin = Aladin()
     aladin.target = target
     parsed_target = parse_coordinate_string(target)
     assert aladin.target.icrs.ra.deg == parsed_target.icrs.ra.deg
@@ -52,7 +63,7 @@ def test_aladin_string_target_set(target: str) -> None:
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("target", test_aladin_string_target)
-def test_aladin_sky_coord_target_set(target: str) -> None:
+def test_aladin_sky_coord_target_set(target: str, mock_sesame: Callable) -> None:  # noqa: ARG001
     """Test setting and getting the target of an Aladin object with a SkyCoord object.
 
     Parameters
@@ -62,7 +73,6 @@ def test_aladin_sky_coord_target_set(target: str) -> None:
 
     """
     sc_target = parse_coordinate_string(target)
-    aladin = Aladin()
     aladin.target = sc_target
     assert aladin.target.icrs.ra.deg == sc_target.icrs.ra.deg
     assert aladin.target.icrs.dec.deg == sc_target.icrs.dec.deg
@@ -87,7 +97,6 @@ def test_aladin_float_fov_set(angle: float) -> None:
         The angle to set.
 
     """
-    aladin = Aladin()
     aladin.fov = angle
     assert aladin.fov.deg == angle
 
@@ -103,6 +112,5 @@ def test_aladin_angle_fov_set(angle: float) -> None:
 
     """
     angle_fov = Angle(angle, unit="deg")
-    aladin = Aladin()
     aladin.fov = angle_fov
     assert aladin.fov.deg == angle_fov.deg