After spending an evening thinking I was “done” with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, I checked my progress and realized I was still missing several journals – and the Follow the Trail achievement. The breakthrough came when I understood which entries are permanently missable and how the v1.1 patch quietly makes tracking them much easier.
This guide walks through all 49 journals in a clean, area-by-area route, with a special focus on:
Plan on around 4-6 hours to grab everything if you fast travel smartly. Difficulty is “Easy” mechanically, but “Medium” in terms of navigation and not missing story-locked areas.
Step → Open your platform’s update menu and install the latest patch.Action → Launch the game and confirm the version on the title screen or options menu.Result → Journals are highlighted on the map with small page icons when you’re in the right region, making cleanup much easier.RB/R1) to highlight glowing journal pages and interactable objects around you.This is where I lost time on my first run. If you do nothing else, lock in these journals before advancing those specific story beats.
Step → In Old Lumiere, once the door to the Manor is open, head inside before pushing the Monolith story too far.Action → From the Old Lumiere flag, slip through the broken wall on the left, enter the Manor, and check the small bathroom near the entrance; the journal rests on the sink.Result → You obtain Renoir’s journal. Once the Manor doors seal later in the story, this is gone for that playthrough.Step → During the Tainted Battlefield / Monolith sequence, watch for a tombstone with a path split leading toward a Manor door.Action → Take the side path toward the Manor; in the adjacent side room (often marked by a distinct blue glow on the minimap), the journal sits on a surface.Result → You secure Aline’s journal before this combat-heavy section funnels you forward.Step → In the Ancient Sanctuary Maze area, explore thoroughly before ringing the Giant Bell.Action → From the Sanctuary Maze flag, move toward the large domed building, then drop into the lower path between the two farthest, brush-headed statues. Continue to the central lower area with a Paint Cage.Result → You collect Expedition 63. After progressing the bell event, this route effectively closes.Step → Before major Monolith milestones, sweep The Continent for campfire journals around Gestral Village and the Forgotten Battlefield.Action → Prioritize small camps south of Gestral, north near tally signs, and raised platforms near the Forgotten Battlefield while they are still populated.Result → When certain camps disappear later, you’ve already taken their journals and don’t risk a partial logbook.Once these are safe, everything else is much more forgiving – you can backtrack or rely on map icons to polish off the rest.
I recommend doing a quick map check after every story segment. It’s much easier to grab one missing journal while you’re already nearby than to retrace the entire region later.
Once you’ve secured the missables, this area order minimizes load screens and uses flight efficiently:
Below, I’ll highlight the trickiest journals in each region and the routes that consistently worked well in repeated runs. Any journals that sit right on the main story path can usually be mopped up with the map icons alone.
These are straightforward, but it’s easy to walk past side paths while learning the combat rhythm.
Step → From the Spring Meadows Expedition Flag, walk straight ahead up the gentle grassy slope.Action → Climb the low ledge overlooking the starting area, staying slightly to the right side.Result → A glowing page lies on the ground near the ledge edge: this is Expedition 81.Step → Fast travel to the Flying Waters flag.Action → Climb the waterfalls to the upper pool, then check the left-hand alcove tucked behind falling water.Result → The journal rests in the alcove, easy to overlook if you rush the climb.Step → Progress to the area with the petrified Bourgeon statue.Action → Instead of turning back, follow the path past the statue all the way to the dead end.Result → Find the journal on the ground amid rubble at the path’s end.Step → Use the Harvester’s Hollow flag.Action → Move forward past the flag, then take the ramp to the right of the tall central statue.Result → The named journal Yellow Harvest sits near the top of the ramp.Step → From the route leading toward Gestral Village, stop at the northern signpost that splits toward an arena path.Action → Check around the base of the sign and nearby crates.Result → Pick up Expedition 52.Step → Travel to the Esquie’s Nest area.Action → On the nest platform itself, walk to the edge overlooking the open area below.Result → The journal lies near the edge, blending in with the environment.Common mistake: Advancing to bosses (like Sadness Chapelier) without checking side ramps and dead ends. In early zones, assume every branch hides either a chest or a journal.
Gestral acts as your main hub, and it’s easy to forget that hub areas hold journals too.
Step → From the Gestral Village flag, walk north toward the path that leads out to combat arenas.Action → Check near the northern village sign or branching path markers.Result → You’ll see a glowing page close to the sign, filling this log.Step → Take the route from Gestral down to the beach (often reached via Resin Veil Grove or the village outskirts).Action → Once you hit the sandy shoreline area with records, continue toward the middle of the beach, just before the end of the path.Result → The journal rests close to the record pickup, roughly in the middle of the open sand.Screenshot cue: For Gestral Beach, capture an angle showing the village skyline behind you and the record pickup ahead. The journal should be clearly visible slightly off-center in the sand.
These journals sit just off boss routes and can be skipped if you beeline for arenas.
Step → From the Sadness Vale flag, head toward the Sadness Chapelier arena.Action → Before entering the arena, take the incline to the right, past a group of Nevrons, and follow it to the end.Result → The journal lies at the tip of the path, often marked by a ruined camp or stone pedestal.Step → Approach the Gestral Beach or related side area from Visages.Action → Walk forward until you reach a small beach segment that also contains a Record item.Result → The journal is near that Record, roughly in the central portion of the beach.Step → Travel to the White Tree side area.Action → Explore the middle of the zone wherever you see a Record on the ground; journals and records tend to pair up here.Result → The journal lies near the Record pickup.Pro tip: In these areas, if you ever see a floating mask or large, distinctive landmark, run a full circle around it before moving on — most of the related journals hide just off the obvious route.
The verticality here and dark caves make it easy to lose track of side paths. Take it slow.
Step → From the Stone Wave Cliffs flag, walk toward the edge overlooking the lower sea cliffs.Action → Carefully drop down to the first safe ledge below; look for a half-ruined camp or lone crate.Result → The journal is on this ledge. Falling too far drops you past it, so watch your descent.Step → Locate the main cave entrance in Stone Wave.Action → Follow the cave path inward, hugging side paths and alcoves just beyond the initial tunnel.Result → The journal lies in a small side area shortly after you enter the cave proper.Step → Proceed into the Crushing Cavern section, where environmental hazards press down.Action → After you clear the main crush mechanic, search the deeper floor area before the next transition.Result → You’ll find the journal among rocks and debris, slightly off the central path.Step → Fast travel to the Stone Quarry flag.Action → Head to the quarry floor, checking near parked mining carts and equipment.Result → The journal rests near the carts, blending with the wooden assets.Difficulty: Medium. Visibility is the real challenge. Use Lumina Vision in every dark pocket of the caves.
These war-torn areas lead directly into Monolith content. A couple of journals hide on forks you might only see once.
Step → From the Forgotten Battlefield flag, move toward the spectral figure or ghostly presence that marks the combat zone.Action → Before converging on the center, take the right-hand path and follow it along the outer edge.Result → The journal is along this right path, near debris or a small encampment.Step → Stay in Forgotten Battlefield and work toward the central ramp with floating enemies.Action → Look to the left side of the ramp, checking around the base and nearby rocks.Result → Grab the journal before clearing out too many enemies; it’s easy to run by during hectic fights.Step → Travel to Falling Leaves via the Resin Veil Grove flag.Action → Move forward along the main path until it naturally ends.Result → The journal waits at the far end of the area.Step → Continue exploring deeper into Falling Leaves.Action → Branch into any side path that looks like a cul‑de‑sac, particularly ones with heavier leaf fall and color contrast.Result → Another journal (Expedition 49) lies in one of these deeper recesses; map icons help pinpoint the exact alcove.Screenshot cue: Capture the view up the central ramp with floating enemies visible. Mark where you step off to the left to grab Expedition 57, so it’s clear it’s off the combat line.
The Continent contains scattered camps, islands, and raised platforms. Flying transforms this from a slog into a quick loop.
Recommended loop: Start at Gestral Village, work south, then arc northwest and west toward the Forgotten Battlefield islands, before circling back via the Fountain.
Step → From the Gestral Village flag, head southeast about a short sprint away to a small camp with a firepit.Action → In the camp, check the table behind the merchant and crates.Result → The journal on the table is Expedition 47.Step → Return to Gestral and this time head north about 100 meters to a wooden tally signpost.Action → Look at the base of the sign and the ground immediately around it.Result → You’ll find Expedition 62 next to the sign.Step → Fast travel to The Meadows flag.Action → Walk north around 30 meters to a cluster of tents.Result → A journal sits on a barrel inside the camp, logged as Expedition 64.Step → From Gestral, fly or traverse to the small northwest island with a merchant tent.Action → Land on the island and check the rock outcrop beside the vendor tent.Result → Pick up Expedition 43 from the rock.Step → From the Forgotten Battlefield region, fly west toward the map’s northwest corner island.Action → Land on the beach near a small shop setup.Result → The journal lies on the sandy beach beside the shop.Step → From the Forgotten Battlefield or nearby Continent edge, fly to the raised platform west of the battlefield.Action → Clear the enemy group in the tents, then explore the back of the platform.Result → You’ll find Julie’s journal and the first Verso journal on or near the tents.Step → Explore the street-edge area where the Continent transitions into Old Lumiere.Action → Look for a survivor-style camp or street corner with a distinct NPC setup.Result → The Fracture Survivor journal lies nearby.Step → Fast travel to The Fountain flag.Action → Swim or hop across small islands to the eastern ledge by the water.Result → The journal sits on the ledge overlooking the water, counted as Expedition 84.The remaining Continent journals are typically on obvious camp tables or raised lookouts clearly marked by map icons. Use flight to connect any isolated page icons you see.
This ruined city hides both standard Expedition logs and pivotal character journals.
Step → From the Old Lumiere flag, walk the main street.Action → Check collapsed carts, doorways, and street corners for a glowing page on the ground.Result → This marks Expedition 58.Step → Continue through the streets until you find a distinct survivor setup at a street corner (camp or NPC remnants).Action → Inspect the immediate vicinity.Result → The Fracture Survivor journal is here if you didn’t already grab the overlapping entry from the Continent side.Step → Enter one of the more intact buildings along the main route.Action → Search upstairs rooms or inner hallways wherever the map shows an interior pocket.Result → The journal appears on a table or shelf inside, counting as Expedition 42.Step → From the Old Lumiere flag, use the broken wall on the left to access the Manor entrance.Action → Enter the Manor and immediately check the small bathroom near the front (typically to the side of the main hall).Result → Renoir’s named journal sits on the sink. This is a major missable once the Manor seals later.Step → Continue through Old Lumiere toward its farthest exit.Action → As you near the end of the area, check for one final page icon on the map and sweep the last set of ruins.Result → You’ll pick up Expedition 60 before leaving the city.Pro tip: Once you exit Old Lumiere after key story events, verify that no page icons remain here. Going back after the Manor seals is a common way to discover you’ve permanently missed Renoir’s journal.
This area’s labyrinth layout and bell event make it a priority for completionists.
Step → Fast travel to the Sanctuary Maze flag.Action → Follow the critical path toward the domed building. Past a blue-lit structure, go between the two farthest brush-headed statues and drop down the middle path into the lower area with a Paint Cage.Result → The journal lies in this central lower pocket. Collect it before ringing the Giant Bell.Step → In the broader Sanctuary region, head toward the area sometimes associated with Frozen Hearts.Action → Follow side paths off the main route and rely on map icons to find a page in a frosty or emotionally charged sub‑zone.Result → Picking this up logs Expedition 51.Step → Move toward the edge area known as The Crows.Action → Explore the outermost section and platforms at the area’s end.Result → The journal sits at the edge or on a prominent platform, counted as Expedition 34.Screenshot cue: For Expedition 63, frame the shot so both brush-headed statues flank the center drop. That visual is the most reliable landmark in the maze.
Short but easy to rush through. Trains and tracks dominate the view, so journals can blend into the background.
Step → From the Monoco’s Station flag, walk along the tracks.Action → When you reach the far end, cross to the left-hand set of tracks and follow them to the end.Result → The journal sits near the terminus of the left track, out of the main combat line.Step → Continue into the rail-linked route that feeds into the Monolith.Action → Use the map icon to spot a page near where the station architecture transitions into Monolith‑style structures.Result → Collecting this fills Expedition 70 and sets you up for the final zone sweep.The final stretch clusters several powerful story journals and the last numbered logs. Flying and precise platforming matter here.
Step → Once fully inside the Monolith, progress along the main story route.Action → Watch the map for a journal icon and sweep small side rooms off the central corridors.Result → You’ll secure the Monolith variant of Expedition 70.Step → Move toward the section associated with Sirene’s Dress.Action → Explore balconies and side platforms, particularly those with strong visual theming (fabric, drapery, or stage‑like setups).Result → The journal here is registered as Expedition 46.Step → Approach the route leading to The Reacher.Action → Before committing to any point of no return, check ledges and dead‑end platforms along the approach path.Result → One of these holds Expedition 61.Step → After finishing the core Monolith routes, access the post‑story style zones: Canvas, Reacher, and Abyss.Action → In Canvas, check near the central fountain or visually distinct focus point. In Reacher, follow the main path and check each side platform. In Abyss, progress via Renoir’s Drafts and examine each landing as you descend.Result → You’ll collect three Unknown‑titled journals that count toward the total.Step → While in the Abyss via Renoir’s Drafts, continue down through its key story sections.Action → Search platforms where the environment narrows or slows your pace; a named page will be clearly visible along the way.Result → Picking this up grants Simon’s journal, typically one of the last named entries players obtain.Warning: Do a final pass of your map for page icons before triggering any ultimate endgame lockouts. It’s much easier to re-run a few Monolith rooms now than redo an entire New Game cycle for one missing log.
Once you have every journal, don’t forget to cash them in.
Step → Talk to Berrami and select the option to turn in journals.Action → Hand them over one by one or in sequence.Result → Your Colour of Lumina balance jumps, giving you a powerful resource bump for any remaining content.
Once you internalize which areas are missable and get used to checking your map after each flag, the whole collectible run feels much more manageable. On my second pass using this structure, I went from “no idea what I missed” to a full set in under five hours, with a comfortable Lumina stockpile to show for it.
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