Solution Revealed for 31-Year Treasure Hunt – And It Was Hiding in Plain Sight!

PARIS - May 4, 2025 - PRLog -- The answer to a legendary 31-year-old French treasure hunt has finally been revealed. The prize, an owl statuette, was found buried beside three standing stones near the town of Dabo in Moselle, France. The long-running puzzle, On the Trail of the Golden Owl, began in 1993 with the publication of a riddle-filled book. Treasure hunters were tasked with solving 11 cryptic clues to locate the hidden owl to win a golden sculpture, with an estimated value of over €300,000.

On the night of October 3, 2024, two treasure hunters—who wish to remain anonymous—solved the clues and unearthed the owl. The astonishing solution was revealed to audiences across France in a new documentary film, The Discovery of the Golden Owl, which premiered in cinemas on May 2nd. The treasure had been hidden beside the Bornes Saint Martin standing stones—long suspected by the community of "owlers," but never confirmed until now.

Michel Becker said: "The news of the owl's discovery stirred up a lot of emotion. Some wished the hunt could last forever, while others were simply eager to know where it was hidden. The answer will spark passionate debate and detailed analysis—because treasure hunters are passionate and love to analyse!"

Becker plans to launch a new international treasure hunt, On the Trail of the Golden Owl – The Bird of Prey, later this year. The new adventure will feature an exquisite prize crafted by Maison Christofle and will be accessible worldwide with clues published in both French and English.

Michel Becker said: "This hunt has become part of history, and the good news is that it will continue. There will be a new golden owl, new puzzles, and the mystery will live on. No one knows if the next treasure will be found soon—or if it will take another 30 years to discover.

The final solution has sparked astonishment in the treasure hunting community. The three marker stones northeast of Dabo were long believed to be significant, and the area was so frequently searched that in 2023, the Mayor of Dabo issued a warning urging hunters to stop digging. To address the damage to French beauty spots, Becker had created an online system for verifying solutions—but the winning team succeeded in the traditional way, digging with a spade.

Notes for Editors
Images of the gold owl must be credited to Les Éditions de la Chouette d'Or  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12_aN_EvD4_3Dx98vq9UMSCan0DGfbUnq?usp=drive_link