French man finds $800,000 gold treasure whilst digging pool in garden

A Frenchman discovered a treasure worth $800,000 whilst digging a swimming pool in his garden, local officials said.

The man informed local authorities after making the discovery last May and they allowed him to keep the gold because it didn’t come from an archaeological site, the council of the eastern town of Néville-sur-Saône announced on Wednesday.

He found “five gold bars and several coins” buried in plastic bags, local newspaper Le Progrès reported.

Police determined the gold had been acquired legally and was melted down “15 or 20 years ago” at a nearby refinery.

The previous owner has died and how the gold ended up there remains a mystery.