The treasure of the “golden owl” unearthed after thirty-one years of mystery, announces the custodian of the game

“Don’t go digging!” We confirm that the golden owl countermark was dug up last night. » Thursday, October 3 in the morning, Michel Becker, custodian of the famous treasure hunt, announced on the Discord community platform that the object had been found during the night, and that an answer to the riddles had been transmitted. “We check the validity of the proposed solution”he clarified. Earthquake in the community of “owls”.

For thirty-one years, they have sought to resolve the our puzzles allowing you to locate the treasure of the golden owl, buried somewhere in France. They are collected in a book published in 1993 by Max Valentin, real name Régis Hauser, who died in 2009, and accompanied by illustrations by Michel Becker, also sculptor of the owl. It is actually a bronze replica (or countermark) which was buried somewhere: anyone who found it and was able to prove having solved the riddles could exchange it for the real golden owl. Estimated value at the time: one million francs, or 150,000 euros.

“I shed a few tears”

While most treasure hunts are solved in a few months or years, the exceptional longevity of that of the golden owl ended up despairing many “owlers”, fearing that the famous bird had disappeared from the place where Max Valentin had hidden it three decades ago. The sustainability of the game had also been undermined by a series of legal disputes, accentuated after the death of Max Valentin. Michel Becker, who did not respond to requests from Mondeinitially had control over the sculpture, but not over the solutions to the puzzles, which he ended up obtaining from the heirs of Max Valentin.

And “pinch in the heart”, “hard news to take”, “I shed a few tears”… On the Discord forum, a flood of nostalgic messages followed Michel Becker’s announcement. With a question: ” Who ??? » For now, the identity of the person who got their hands on the owl remains a mystery, as does the location of the treasure. But criticism is already being heard. Several owl hunters, whose relations with Michel Becker have long been strained, criticize him, among other things, for having provided new clues in recent years, distorting the game according to them.

The discovery of the owl could therefore reignite recurring tensions within this community. As one of its members summarizes on Discord: “ Aside from any debate, thank you. I’ve only been an owl since confinement, but I still had an incredible adventure in this family of owls, certainly dysfunctional, but colorful. »