Introduction: The Hunt for Lost Gestrals

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, launched on April 24, 2025, has captivated players with its haunting Belle Époque-inspired world and innovative turn-based combat. Set in a realm where the Paintress awakens yearly to erase everyone of a specific age—this year, 33—the game follows a band of expeditioners on a desperate quest to break her cycle of death. Amidst this epic journey, players can undertake a side quest to find nine Lost Gestrals, small, brush-headed creatures scattered across The Continent, the game’s overworld map. These collectibles, overseen by an NPC named Sastro at the Camp, offer rewards ranging from cosmetic items to gameplay abilities, culminating in a trophy/achievement. This guide details all Lost Gestral locations, the rewards for finding them, and their impact on your adventure, helping you decide if the hunt is worth your time.

What Are Lost Gestrals?

Lost Gestrals are childlike creatures who fled the Ancient Sanctuary, a key location in Act 1, after the Fracture—a cataclysmic event that scattered the Gestrals across the world. Sastro, a large Gestral wearing a chef’s hat, tasks you with finding these nine “mischievous imps” and returning them to the Camp, which you can access by pressing down on the D-pad while on The Continent. Each Lost Gestral you find automatically returns to Sastro, who then offers a reward based on the total number collected. The Gestrals are all located on the overworld map, not within dungeons or main story areas, but accessing them requires unlocking specific abilities for Esquie, your mount, as you progress through the game’s three acts.

Lost Gestral Locations: A Step-by-Step Guide

The nine Lost Gestrals are divided into three groups based on the abilities needed to reach them: three accessible by foot in Act 1, three requiring Esquie’s swimming and coral-breaking abilities in Act 2, and three necessitating flight in Act 3. Below, each location is detailed with navigation tips to ensure you can find them efficiently.

Act 1: On Foot (3 Gestrals)

In Front of Esquie’s Nest (Act 1)
After resolving matters in the Gestral Village and exiting the Ancient Sanctuary in Act 1, head east on The Continent toward Esquie’s Nest, a main story location. The first Lost Gestral stands directly in front of the nest’s entrance, making it nearly impossible to miss. Its position is along the main path, so you’ll likely encounter it naturally during the story after defeating Goblu in Flying Waters.

Stone Wave Cliffs Path (Act 1)
Once you recruit Esquie and gain his rock-breaking ability, your next main story destination is Stone Wave Cliffs. Instead of heading straight to the entrance, take the path to the right. You’ll encounter a giant Bourgeon enemy, which you can fight or avoid depending on your level (it’s manageable in Act 1 but easier in Act 2). Just beyond the Bourgeon, in a small alcove to the right, stands the second Lost Gestral. Look for a campsite nearby, which contains a Pictos as an additional reward.

Monoco’s Station Southeast (Act 2, Accessible in Act 1)
In Act 2, you’ll visit Monoco’s Station, but you can reach this Gestral earlier if you explore. From the station’s entrance, turn your back to it and walk forward and slightly left. You’ll see two green trees ahead; the Lost Gestral stands between them, just southeast of the station. Alternatively, exit Monoco’s Station via the northeast entrance and cross the paint smear bridge to find this spot. This Gestral doesn’t require special abilities, so you can grab it as early as Act 1 if you explore off the main path.

Act 2: Swimming and Coral-Breaking (3 Gestrals)

White Tree Island (Act 2)
After completing Stone Wave Cliffs, Esquie gains the ability to swim. Head west from the peninsula northwest of the Gestral Village and swim to the island housing the White Tree portal. The Lost Gestral is in the woods just southwest of the portal, near the island’s southern edge. This area is accessible by swimming behind Gestral Beach, a location from the game’s starting region.

Northern Beach of Coastal Cave Island (Act 2)
Once Esquie can break coral reefs—unlocked after progressing through Old Lumiere—head to the island east of Monoco’s Station, where the Coastal Cave is located. Swim through the coral to the north end of the island, where a small beach holds the Lost Gestral next to some pots. You can also reach this spot by swimming east from Monoco’s Station’s southernmost entrance, landing on a shore with the Gestral nearby.

Red Island Northwest of Old Lumiere (Act 2)
Northwest of Old Lumiere, there’s a red island with a forested area. Swim to this island from Old Lumiere’s shore and explore the open area, where you’ll find two Mimes. The Lost Gestral stands in a corner just beyond them. You can ignore the Mimes if you’re not ready to fight—they’re optional enemies—but the Gestral is easily accessible once you’re on the island.

Act 3: Flying (3 Gestrals)

Grassy Area Near Visages (Act 3)
In Act 3, Esquie gains the ability to fly. Head west of the Visages entrance, near The Reacher zone, and look for a wooden tower. Northeast of the tower is a grassy area where Esquie can land. The Lost Gestral stands near some pots at the south end of this area, close to a Gestral Merchant who sells items like Music Records.

Red Forest Near Endless Night Sanctuary (Act 3)
Fly to the reddish region on the eastern side of The Continent, southeast of Sirene. This area contains the Endless Night Sanctuary portal. Northwest of the portal, near a group of Nevrons, you’ll find the Lost Gestral. Be cautious—the Nevrons here are tough, packing a punch with elemental attacks that can overwhelm an underleveled party (recommended level 50+).

Floating Island Near Endless Tower (Act 3)
The final Lost Gestral is the trickiest to find, located on a floating rock near the Endless Tower, an optional location northwest of Stone Wave Cliffs. Fly as high as possible with Esquie—close to the game’s skybox ceiling—until you spot a single rock platform. Land on it to find the Lost Gestral. This one’s isolated position makes it a challenge, but the view from this height is a reward in itself.

How to Find Sastro and Claim Rewards

Sastro resides at the Camp, accessible at any time on The Continent by pressing down on the D-pad (or G on PC). To locate him, enter the Camp, pass the campfire, and take the left path. Look for a stack of crates—Sastro’s cave entrance is just past them, near a blue glowing tree. He appears after you find your first Lost Gestral at Esquie’s Nest, so visit the Camp after each discovery to claim your rewards. Sastro’s dialogue also provides lore insights into the Gestrals’ history, adding depth to the side quest.

Rewards for Finding Lost Gestrals

The rewards from Sastro are tied to the number of Gestrals you’ve found, not their specific locations. Here’s the full list:

1 Gestral: Gestral Haircut for Maelle (cosmetic).

2 Gestrals: Gestral Haircut for Sciel (cosmetic).

3 Gestrals: Gestral Haircut for Gustave (cosmetic).

4 Gestrals: Paint Break ability (allows Verso to break Paint Spikes, blue tree-trunk-like obstacles).

5 Gestrals: Colours of Lumina (resources for character customization).

6 Gestrals: Additional Colours of Lumina.

7 Gestrals: More Colours of Lumina.

8 Gestrals: Even more Colours of Lumina.

9 Gestrals: Pro Retreat Pictos (instant battle escape, +3,012 Health, +612 Speed at level 33) + “Lost Gestrals” trophy/achievement.

The Paint Break ability, unlocked after four Gestrals, is the most significant gameplay reward, opening up new paths on The Continent and in dungeons by destroying Paint Spikes. These obstacles often block minor loot, like Chroma Catalysts or Pictos, making the ability useful for exploration. The Pro Retreat Pictos, while situational, offers a quick escape from tough fights, and its stat boosts are decent for a level 33 character. The cosmetic rewards—hairstyles and Colours of Lumina—are underwhelming for many players, as they don’t impact gameplay, though they add flair for roleplay enthusiasts.

Strategic Tips for Collecting Gestrals

Progress Through Acts: Don’t stress about finding all Gestrals early. Three require flying, unlocked in Act 3, so focus on story progression first. You can return to The Continent post-game to collect any you missed.

Listen for Cues: Gestrals emit faint voices when nearby. If you hear a young voice while exploring, check corners, trees, or rocks—they’re often tucked away.

Use Esquie’s Abilities: Esquie’s rock-breaking, swimming, coral-breaking, and flying abilities are key. Revisit areas like Gestral Village or Old Lumiere after each upgrade to access new spots.

Prepare for Fights: Some Gestrals, like those near Stone Wave Cliffs or the Endless Night Sanctuary, are near tough enemies (Bourgeons or Nevrons). Ensure your party is leveled (around 30–50 for Act 2, 50+ for Act 3) to handle these threats.

Combine with Other Collectibles: The Continent holds other collectibles like Music Records and Journals. Check nearby merchants or campsites while hunting Gestrals to maximize exploration efficiency.

Are the Rewards Worth It?

The Paint Break ability is the standout reward, as it enhances exploration by removing obstacles, which can lead to minor loot and new paths. However, the cosmetic rewards—hairstyles and Colours of Lumina—feel lackluster for the effort, especially since they don’t affect gameplay. The Pro Retreat Pictos is situational; instant battle escape is rarely needed in a game where strategic preparation can handle most encounters, though the Health and Speed boosts are nice for a support character. The “Lost Gestrals” trophy/achievement is a completionist’s prize, but the side quest’s design feels like a missed opportunity. Compared to other collectibles like Expedition Journals, which offer deep lore, the Gestrals’ rewards are mostly superficial, and the lack of unique interactions with each Gestral (beyond Sastro’s dialogue) makes the hunt feel repetitive.

Critically, this reflects a broader trend in Clair Obscur’s design: a focus on aesthetics over substance in optional content. While the game excels in its narrative and combat, side activities like the Lost Gestrals could have been more engaging with rewards that impact gameplay, such as unique skills or weapons. Still, the Paint Break ability makes collecting at least four Gestrals worthwhile, and the exploration encourages players to appreciate The Continent’s stunning landscapes.

Community Sentiment and Impact

Players on platforms like Reddit have mixed feelings about the Lost Gestrals. Many appreciate the Paint Break ability for opening up new areas, but others find the cosmetic rewards underwhelming, with some calling the hairstyles “ridiculous” and the Colours of Lumina “not worth the effort.” The floating island Gestral near the Endless Tower has been a point of frustration, often taking hours to find due to its obscure position near the skybox ceiling. However, the side quest has encouraged exploration, with players enjoying the journey through The Continent’s diverse regions, from the red forests near Old Lumiere to the grassy fields of Visages.

Conclusion: A Scenic but Underwhelming Quest

Finding all nine Lost Gestrals in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a journey across The Continent’s breathtaking overworld, from the shores of Gestral Village to the floating islands of the Endless Tower. The Paint Break ability and the “Lost Gestrals” trophy make the quest worthwhile for completionists, but the cosmetic rewards and situational Pro Retreat Pictos may leave others wanting more. While the hunt encourages exploration of the game’s stunning world, the rewards don’t fully match the effort, reflecting a broader design choice to prioritize style over substance in optional content. Still, for players seeking to uncover every secret in this haunting RPG, tracking down the Lost Gestrals is a scenic adventure that adds to the game’s immersive charm—grab Esquie and start your search today!