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

A Golden Owl was buried in France in 1993 and finally the clues were solved after 31 years. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) May 03, 2025 - 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. All that is known is that they come from countries outside France. The duo turned down a €300,000 offer for the owl brokered by Michel Becker, the game’s organiser. Their future plans for the treasure remain unknown.

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.

It all began with a French treasure hunt, born from a book, at a time when the internet as we know it didn’t exist. Gradually, forums and websites introduced this adventure to a global audience. Thousands of people from around the world travelled to France, with hope in their hearts, in search of the buried owl. I’m delighted to now be creating a modern version of this classic hunt, so treasure lovers everywhere can more easily experience the thrill. The first owl has been found, but a new golden owl will soon be ready to claim."

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.

Jo Bartley, a British “owler” and creator of the Golden Owl Hunt blog, said:
“Many clues pointed to Dabo. The answer was hiding in plain sight—so obvious, people dismissed it as too simple. So many of the clues pointed to this place, but most assumed it was just one stage in the journey not the final destination. Obviously the winners solved every detail precisely to identify the dig spot. I have huge respect for them—to dig and find the buried owl must have been the ultimate eureka moment!”

To solve the puzzle, hunters had to draw specific lines across a map of France to reach Dabo. One critical step involved comparing a number from a clue—71721075—to the dates carved into the three ancient stones. After identifying which numbers did not appear on the stones, those values were added together. A final measurement was then taken from the centre of the triangle formed by the three stones.

“I think we’re all kicking ourselves,” Bartley added. “It seems simple now, but for 31 years we overcomplicated it. Everyone looked at those dates on the Dabo rocks. We all knew the clue 71721075—but no one put the pieces together in exactly the right way. So many people spent years, even decades, chasing these clues.”

Bartley also welcomed the news of a new hunt:
“I’m thrilled the adventure continues. This became an iconic game for so many of us. It’s rare to find real mystery and wonder in everyday life. The fact the next hunt is designed for international players is amazing. It gives all of us another chance at finding real treasure.”

The community had long been divided into “Daboists” and “Antidaboists,” referring to differing theories about the owl’s location. In the end, the Daboists—those who believed in the standing stones near Dabo—were proven right.

The new hunt, On the Trail of the Golden Owl – The Bird of Prey, will officially launch later this year. The first clue will be published in the book of solutions to the original hunt, scheduled for release in June 2025.

###

space

Other Related Press Releases