A French man found a treasure worth $800,000 while digging a 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 as it did not come from an archaeological site, the council of the eastern town of Neville-sur-Saône said on Wednesday.
He found "five gold bars and several coins" buried in plastic bags, local newspaper Le Progres reported.
Police determined that the gold had been obtained legally and had been melted down "15 or 20 years ago" at a nearby refinery.
The previous owner passed away and how the gold ended up there remains a mystery.
