braking news France’s three-decade treasure hunt for

The treasure quest known as "On the Trail of the Golden Owl," which captivated thousands across France for 31 years, has reportedly concluded. Official social media accounts announced that the token required to claim the grand prize had been found, leading to a wave of emotional reactions from participants, known as "owlers" . The quest was based on a 1993 book by Régis Hauser and Michel Becker, which involved solving 11 mysteries and locating a hidden 12th clue to discover the owl's location .

The prize, a golden owl weighing three kilograms and adorned with diamond chips, is valued at approximately €150,000 (about $165,000) . Participants had organized events across France to share tips and experiences, fostering a community of over 200,000 treasure hunters . Following the announcement of the token's discovery, many expressed disappointment and nostalgia, marking the end of one of the longest unsolved scavenger hunts in the world .

Becker, who had previously used the pseudonym Max Valentin, had passed away in 2009, and he and Hauser had buried a replica of the owl while keeping the original safe . Participants were reminded not to dig on public or private property without permission, reflecting the quest's long-standing rules . The inspiration for this treasure hunt came from Kit Williams' 1979 book "Masquerade," which also involved solving mysteries to find a hidden treasure .