Before his eyes the landscapes of Burgundy passed by when these few words reached him. “Don’t go digging! (…) The countermark (a replica of the trophy, Editor’s note) of the Golden Owl was dug up last night“: the co-founder of the game, the Vauclusian Michel Becker, announced to his community, via the social network Discord, the end of this three-decade treasure hunt.
Gérard Simon, president of the A2CO (the Association of Researchers of the Chouette d’Or) remained incredulous, as Vézelay (Yonne) opened before him, where the next gathering of “chouetteurs” was looming in May 2025. , named after the researchers of this trophy buried somewhere in France in an identifiable location thanks to the resolution of eleven enigmas. Should everything be interrupted? Did this announcement sign the epilogue of 31 years of quest?
For now, the former mathematics professor and retired computer scientist remains cautious. Isn’t this about “yet another episode“in this three-year series?”I wish it was the last… But I have big doubts“, affirms the Lyonnais, keen on enigmas and puzzles, entered into this mysterious challenge since its creation, more than thirty years ago. A treasure hunt published in a book then relayed on… Minitel.
