The End of a Quest
On Thursday, October 3, the custodian of the famous treasure hunt announced that the owl had been unearthed. This came as a shock to the “chouetteurs” community, who have been trying to discover the hidden cache since 1993. For Mimi, a 39-year-old architect from Gironde, it was supposed to be just like any other morning. However, upon receiving a notification on her phone that a potentially winning solution was being verified, Mimi realized that the end was near. Emotionally overwhelmed, Mimi found herself facing an empty cup of coffee, joining other “chouetteurs” online who were equally astonished and disbelieving.
The Legend of the Golden Owl
Tens of thousands of people have spent years trying to locate the bronze owl buried somewhere in France in 1993 by the communicator Régis Hauser, under the pseudonym Max Valentin. To find the owl, one must solve a series of eleven riddles accompanied by illustrations published in a book. The person who manages to locate and unearth the bronze bird can exchange it for the real treasure: a golden, silver, and diamond-studded owl valued at 1 million francs at the time, equivalent to 150,000 euros. This concept captured the imagination of many French citizens, leading them to develop an obsession with the hunt.
A Community in Mourning
The news of the owl’s discovery left the community feeling orphaned. For many, seeking the golden owl had become a significant part of their lives, with some dedicating up to 80% of their free time to the quest. The enigmatic creator of the treasure hunt, Max Valentin, had become somewhat of a myth over the years. As the news spread, the sense of loss and disbelief among the “chouetteurs” was palpable, highlighting the deep emotional connection forged within this unique community.
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