- By Shivangi Sharma
- Thu, 06 Nov 2025 04:48 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A quiet French suburb erupted into headlines after a resident in Neuville-sur-Saone stumbled upon a fortune buried beneath his garden. While excavating his property in May to install a swimming pool, the homeowner uncovered plastic bags filled with gold bars and coins, a discovery now valued at approximately USD 800,000, local officials confirmed on Wednesday.
According to the regional publication Le Progres, the man immediately notified authorities. After assessing the site, officials determined that the treasure was not located within an archaeological reserve, nor did it appear connected to any protected cultural heritage. As a result, the council ultimately permitted him to legally keep the find, avoiding the type of lengthy confiscation battles that often follow such discoveries in Europe.
A Legal And Historical Mystery
Authorities revealed that the treasure included five gold bars and numerous gold coins, all neatly stored in plastic bags beneath the soil. Police investigations later showed that the gold had been legally obtained and melted around 15–20 years ago at a nearby refinery. However, with the previous owner of the property now deceased, the origins of the treasure and why it was buried remain unsolved.
Town hall officials admitted that no records exist indicating how or why such valuable items ended up underground. With no heirs claiming ownership, French law allows the current property owner to retain possession.
Rare Case of Treasure Retention
Treasure discoveries in France often trigger complex debates, particularly because the state typically claims ownership of mineral riches beneath private land. In past cases, finders have received as little as 0.5 per cent of the total value. This instance, however, sidestepped bureaucracy due to the treasure’s recent age and private origins.
The surprising decision has sparked fresh discussion about property rights and transparency, with some residents expressing shock that such wealth could sit unnoticed for decades.
Past European Treasure Discoveries Resurface
The French case also recalls recent treasure finds elsewhere in Europe. Earlier this year, hikers in East Bohemia encountered 598 gold coins, bracelets, and cigarette cases weighing 6.8 kilograms after spotting a can protruding from a wall crack. Those artefacts, wrapped in black fabric and divided into columns, are now kept in a local museum.
For the French homeowner, life has changed overnight. Though he originally set out to build a swimming pool, he instead uncovered one of the region’s most intriguing mysteries and walked away a millionaire.