Getting stuck in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 often happens because of one small item—the Old Key. You need this key to open a locked path tied to story progress and optional journal content.
The problem is not difficulty, but visibility. The Old Key blends into the environment, and many players walk past it without realizing it is right next to them.
This guide explains exactly where you can find the Old Key and how to make sure you do not miss it.
Where To Find the Old Key in Clair Obscur Expedition 33
1. Old Key Location in the Research Area
As you progress through the main quest, a door that is locked will be met in the damaged part called the Research Area. This door has a very visible sign saying that it needs the Old Key; thus, it is an indication that you are indeed in the right place.
Once you are in front of the door that is locked, do not leave the spot. Slightly turn to the left and take a look at the adjacent room or hallway.
You will catch sight of a damaged filing cabinet or office furniture that appears to be partly shattered and is littered with debris. Engage with this cabinet.
The Old Key is either inside it or just beside it on the ground. After you have collected it, go back to the door and open it right away to proceed with the mission.
2. Old Key Location During the Prologue Festival
You can also obtain the Old Key very early in the game during the festival section in Lumière. After the opening events, you will find several vendor stalls near the steps. One of the vendors offers a mysterious object in exchange for a festival token. That item is the Old Key.
You start with one token and can earn more before leaving the area, so taking the key does not block other rewards. If you collect the Old Key here, it stays in your inventory until it becomes useful later in the story.
3. Old Key Location in Act III (Thank You Update)
In case you missed the Old Key earlier, the Thank You Update introduced a backup location in Act III. When you come back to Lumière near the game’s end, start from the docks and go up the first flight of stairs. Now take a hard left instead of going on the main trail.
There is a tiny heap of wooden boxes down by the ground that you will discover. You will see the Old Key among them, marked as a pickup item.
The entire purpose of this version is to ensure that players do not get blocked from accessing the journal content just because they could not find the early key.
Where the Old Key Is Used
The Old Key is primarily associated with Old Lumière. After the party divides and you take control of Maelle, you will encounter a branching road right next to a rest spot.
One way is going downwards and the other seems to be a dead-end. Turn towards the dead-end and drop down onto the pipe that is underneath.
Continue along the pipe and you will spot a locked gate. If you happen to possess the Old Key, you can unlock it and obtain a journal belonging to an earlier expedition. This journal is essential for complete playthrough and lore development..
Why the Old Key Is Easy to Miss
Most players miss the Old Key because the game places it in cluttered, dark environments. Broken furniture, scattered papers, and debris all make the item blend in. Players also tend to focus on the locked door itself instead of searching the immediate surroundings.
The interaction prompt for the container holding the key only appears when you are very close, which makes slow movement and careful camera control important.
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