The French Passion for Treasure Hunts: A Craze from the Past and Present that Has Withstood the Test of Time

France’s most iconic treasure hunt, The Golden Owl, came to a close between October 2 and 3, 2024, after more than thirty years of captivating adventurers. Celebrated for its extraordinary complexity, this legendary quest combined cartography, general knowledge, history, wordplay, mathematics, and symbolism—enthralling generations of treasure seekers. The prize? A unique bronze owl inlaid with gold, silver, and precious stones, weighing around ten kilograms and valued at €150,000, crafted by artist Michel Becker.

Conceived in the 20th century and solved in the 21st, The Golden Owl is the longest-running treasure hunt in French history. The treasure—or rather its bronze replica—was found in the village of Dabo, in Moselle. The anonymous winners unraveled one of the most intricate puzzles ever devised. Since then, the riddles and their solutions have been made public, accompanied by a documentary (scheduled for release in May 2024) and a book available for pre-order as of this summer.

This legendary hunt inspired a new challenge: On the Trail of the Golden Owl: The Raptor and the Prey. Unfortunately, it was suspended due to legal action and accusations of “organized fraud” by participants. Yet, this controversy has done little to dampen France’s enthusiasm for treasure hunts—a passion fueled by the promise of discovery and prestigious rewards.

A Historical Fascination

Treasure hunting traces its roots back to the 16th century, during the Age of Exploration. Western explorers, in search of new territories, returned with objects of immense value: sacred indigenous artifacts, rare spices, precious metals, and cultural treasures. These journeys—sometimes driven by conquest—shaped the mythos of treasure hunting, walking the line between heroic exploration and greedy pursuit.

However, it was literature that truly embedded the allure of treasure hunts into the collective imagination. Timeless tales such as Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, The Mirific Adventures of Master Antifer by Jules Verne, and The Gold Bug by Edgar Allan Poe introduced readers to cryptic maps and hidden riches. Blending mystery and adventure, these stories continue to inspire modern-day treasure hunters.

French Quarter Magazine invites you to discover a few remarkable hunts that keep this tradition alive today:

Exkalibur: The Legendary Sword of Puy du Fou

Source: Puy du Fou - Exkalibur

Launched by the Unsolved team, Exkalibur bills itself as “the most epic treasure hunt in the world.” The prize is worthy of the legend: a sword reforged and adorned by France’s finest artisans, valued at €250,000. To claim it, players must purchase the game and solve twelve hand-calligraphed puzzles, each paired with a medieval-style illustration. These clues lead to a hidden chest buried in a secret location. The only hint? It lies somewhere in the Kingdom of France or in a neighboring land with ancient ties.

The hunt can be deciphered entirely from home. Only at the final stage must the player travel to unearth the treasure. The first to do so will be awarded King Arthur’s legendary sword in a grand ceremony held for the occasion.

The Adventures of Captain Ronan: The Globe of Knowledge

Source: Bilbomag - Captain Ronan

Launched in July 2025, The Adventures of Captain Ronan – The Globe of Knowledge is the first in a trilogy of digital treasure hunts. The quest kicks off with the discovery of an iron chest in the attic of Captain Ronan’s ancestral manor—marked with the name Erwan de Kermeur, a legendary corsair. Inside are three mysterious documents, each representing a treasure hunt passed down through generations.

Players solve ten online riddles, released weekly beginning August 1. The grand prize: a handcrafted steel globe valued at €1,800, featuring a hand-painted antique map by Jean De Cluni, a renowned restorer. The winner also receives accommodation and a lunch for two at the artist’s studio. Those who solve all three hunts in the trilogy will be rewarded with a bonus: a one-ounce gold bar worth €3,000, in addition to the three individual prizes.

The Golden Elixir: A Global Adventure

Source: Elixir d'Or

L’Élixir d’Or, launched two years before Exkalibur by the same team, has already drawn over 20,000 players worldwide. Combining history, wine culture, mythology, and travel, this hunt offers an extraordinary prize: a wine cellar worth €100,000, housed at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte.

The winner enjoys access to some of France’s most prestigious wines, including the legendary Domus Maximus 2000, thanks to the Labastide Orliac winery. Alternatively, the prize can be auctioned. The key to victory? A fictional will from the Count of Saint-Germain, a mysterious 18th-century figure rumored to be immortal. The parchment includes six riddles and illustrations that guide seekers to a buried chest somewhere in France.

The Secret: An International Quest

Source: Goodreads - The Secret

First published in 1982, The Secret: A Treasure Hunt by Byron Preiss remains the longest-running treasure hunt in the world. Twelve chests were hidden across North America, each linked to a poem and illustration in the accompanying book. Nine of them remain undiscovered.

In March 2019, a French team—Devin, Kaspius, and Météor—made headlines by solving the Boston puzzle, following earlier discoveries in Chicago and Cleveland. Each poem and image contains clues to a city and a precise location where a plexiglass chest holds a key, redeemable for a gemstone. Though the book is out of print, used copies and PDFs can still be found on Amazon or eBay.

Parisian Hunts: History Beneath Your Feet

Source: From Paris with Fun

If you're in the French capital, embark on a two-hour treasure hunt through historic Paris. According to a mysterious letter, a chest found during an archaeological dig in the Latin Quarter will be awarded to whoever can identify its original owner.

The adventure begins at Place du Panthéon, where participants receive a booklet of independent riddles, each tied to the city’s rich history. The journey spans from the Panthéon to Notre-Dame, Île de la Cité, and concludes at the Louvre—blending historical exploration with intellectual challenge.

The Secret of Montmartre

Source: Mysteries Hunt - Montmartre

In Montmartre, players chase a treasure hidden since the French Revolution. An old artist, said to have found part of this hoard, spent a portion of it and hid the rest. Though the artist’s notebooks were found, they remain indecipherable. This hunt is immensely popular, with nearly all August dates already booked.

With over 115 active treasure hunts across the country, France stands out as a global epicenter of this thrilling pastime. From elite prizes like The Golden Owl—which saw bids reach €250,000—to accessible local adventures, treasure hunting continues to embody the French love of mystery, challenge, and discovery.

To learn more, visit:👉 chasses-au-tresor.com