LA CHOUETTE D'OR
La chouette d'or (The Golden Owl) is a bronze statue of an owl. It was
buried in a secret location somewhere in France by Max Valentin in April
1993. Valentin provided a series of eleven clues to the statue's location,
accompanied by illustrations by the sculptor Michel Becker. To date the
clues remain unsolved and the owl remains hidden. Should the sculpture be
found, it may be exchanged for a more valuable piece, originally valued at
1 million francs. Valentin died in 2009 with his mystery still unsolved.
Origins
Valentin was asked to provide clues to a treasure hunt by his then boss
during 1978. The clues were unused, however, until he met Becker. They
planned the game, to which Becker would provide images. Valentin buried
the owl at 3:30 am on 24 April 1993. The pair published their book "Sur La
Trace de la Chouette d'Or" (In Search of the Golden Owl) shortly
afterwards, which contained the eleven clues.
Attempts
Many people have attempted to solve the clues. One attempt apparently
came very close, as Valentin noticed when checking the owl that nearby
ground had been disturbed. Valentin received a great volume of
correspondence regarding the puzzle, and has said that Dr. Gerald Gay, an
immunologist and prolific treasure hunter, has come closest.
The owl has inevitably attracted more desperate attempts, and Valentin was
the subject of much nuisance and malicious correspondence. One notable
incident involved a treasure hunter bombing a chapel in the mistaken belief
that the sculpture was buried underneath it.