In renovation, the slightest transformation can reserve surprises. Sometimes the lucky ones manage to get their hands on hidden treasures for centuries. So before you start, here are the few strategic points to examine.
The treasure stories discovered during renovations are not only urban legends. In 2022, a couple of Deux-Sèvres discovered nearly 2,000 silver and billon coins, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, buried in their garden. More recently, in April 2025, Clara and Vincent Dupont, by renovating their 18th century home in Montsoreau, uncovered a chest filled with gold coins and old jewelry behind a wall. In short, two examples which illustrate that the old buildings can conceal unsuspected treasures.
Indeed, over the centuries, residents have hidden their property to protect them from conflicts, flights or simply to put them in safety. Wars, revolutions and periods of instability prompted many people to hide their wealth, sometimes leaving clues, sometimes taking secret in their grave. This is why, if you undertake work in an old house, some places deserve special attention.
First, the thick walls. These can hide secret niches or hidden chests. During renovations, it is not uncommon to come across compartments hidden behind plaster or stone, for example. The floors, under parquet blades or slabs, can also house hiding places to hide valuables. The chimneys, especially the conduits or the spaces behind the coats, frequently served as discreet hiding places. Caves and attics, often neglected, can also conceal trunks, boxes or hiding places in the beams or soils. Finally, another place to inspect is the first step of the stairs. The hollow steps have long been used to hide precious objects.
However, some precautions are essential. In France, the discovery of a treasure is supervised by law. According to article 716 of the Civil Code, “The property of a treasure belongs to that which finds it in its own fund; if the Treasury is found in the fund of others, it belongs for half to the one who discovered it, and for the other half to the owner of the fund”. In addition, the use of metal detectors is regulated and requires prior authorization. In addition, if you discover ancient or value objects, it is recommended to contact experts, such as archaeologists or historians, to assess the importance of the find and ensure its conservation.
