The Golden Owl finally unearthed after 31 years of waiting

A historic night
The quest for the legendary Golden Owl treasure may finally be coming to an end. According to Michel Becker, co-organizer of this iconic treasure hunt, the countermark associated with the treasure was “unearthed” on the night of Wednesday October 2 to Thursday October 3, 2024. This announcement potentially marks the conclusion of a 31-year adventure.

An unprecedented adventure
Launched on May 15, 1993 by Max Valentin, also known as Régis Hauser, the “Sur la trace de la Chouette d’Or” treasure hunt is the oldest of its kind still in progress. In an official conversation on the Discord platform dedicated to “chouetteurs”, Becker declared that it was no longer necessary to go to the supposed treasure site to dig, specifying: “We check the validity of the proposed solution”.

Puzzle challenges
Since its creation, thousands of enthusiasts have set out to solve the eleven riddles devised by Max Valentin, in the hope of unearthing the precious bronze countermark that gives access to the ultimate treasure: a gold and silver owl adorned with precious stones. At the time of its launch, the value of the treasure was estimated at one million francs, or around 150,000 euros.

A path strewn with pitfalls
Libération recalls that Michel Becker, creator of the illustrations accompanying the riddles, succeeded in recovering the solutions to the hunt in 2020 after lengthy legal proceedings with Max Valentin’s heirs. Since then, he has shared new clues to help researchers continue their quest.

A cultural phenomenon
With its high level of difficulty and fascinating story, the hunt for the Golden Owl has become a veritable legend, becoming part of the collective imagination. In 2024, this mythical quest was even the subject of a Canal+ documentary entitled “À la poursuite de la Chouette d’Or”. The discovery of the countermark could therefore be a major turning point in this epic adventure.