The Owl's Trail
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
On the Trail of the Golden Owl is a French armchair treasure hunt created by Régis Hauser under the pseudonym Max Valentin and illustrated by Michel Becker. Launched in 1993, the game consists of solving eleven intricate riddles presented in a book, each accompanied by paintings, to locate a bronze replica of a golden owl buried somewhere in France. The winner who finds the bronze owl may exchange it for the original golden owl statuette, a precious artwork made of gold, silver, and adorned with diamonds. The hunt became famous for its longevity, lasting over 31 years until the final solution was revealed in 2024. Despite the complexity and false trails, the game attracted a devoted community of amateurs and experts. Michel Becker took over as official organizer in 2021, ensuring the treasure hunt's continuity by replacing the missing bronze owl with a new one. The golden owl itself was crafted by a renowned jeweler in Lyon and is considered a masterpiece of art and craftsmanship. The treasure's location was confirmed near the Borne Saint-Martin stone circle in Dabo, northeastern France. The hunt is regarded as the second longest organized treasure hunt worldwide, after The Secret, and holds an almost mythical status among enthusiasts.
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Tip: The best time to engage with the treasure hunt is year-round, as it involves puzzle-solving rather than physical site visits. Participants benefit from collaborating with others and studying the eleven riddles carefully. While the bronze owl was missing for a time, the game continues with a replacement bronze statue. No concrete ticketing is required, but following official updates from the organizer Michel Becker is recommended for the latest clues and rules.
Interesting facts
- •The golden owl statuette weighs approximately 15 kg and is made of gold and silver with diamonds embedded on its head.
- •The treasure hunt lasted over 31 years, making it the second longest ever organized, after The Secret.
- •The bronze replica of the owl was buried in April 1993 and is exchangeable for the golden owl upon discovery.
- •Michel Becker, the illustrator, took over the organization in 2021 and replaced the missing bronze owl with a new one to continue the hunt.
- •Max Valentin answered nearly 100,000 public questions on a dedicated Minitel server during the hunt's early years.
History
The treasure hunt was conceived in the late 1970s by Régis Hauser, a communications expert, inspired by earlier treasure hunts like the English Masquerade.
After years of development and securing funding, the book with riddles and illustrations was published in 1993.
The golden owl statuette was created by jeweler Ardaches Papazian in Lyon and valued highly at launch.
The bronze replica was buried in April 1993 to mark the treasure's location.
Max Valentin expected the hunt to last only months to a year, but it extended over three decades, making it the second longest treasure hunt after The Secret.
Michel Becker became the official organizer in 2021, preserving the game's legacy.
