• Authorities allowed him to keep the treasure after verifying its legal source
• Treasure valued at $800,000

A French citizen discovered a gold treasure worth $800,000 while digging a swimming pool in his garden, local officials said

The man informed local authorities about the discovery, and the council in the eastern French town of Neuville-sur-Saone allowed him to keep the gold, as it was not extracted from an archaeological site

A local newspaper reported that he found "five gold bars and numerous coins" buried in plastic bags

Police clarified that the gold had been legally acquired and was melted down about 15 to 20 years ago at a nearby refinery

The town hall stated that the previous owner of the garden had passed away, and the reason the gold ended up in the garden remains a mystery