Rennes-le-Château
Rennes-le-Château is a tiny village, towering high above the surrounding valleys. The panoramic views are stunning.
Apparently lots of 'weird creatures' lived in Cathar Country, also in Rennes-le-Château, namely village pastor Saunière (The Da Vinci Code readers will certainly recognize that name). What information did the documents contain that Saunière was supposed to have found during works in his village church (end 19th century)? Jesus' secret family tree? A reference to the Templars' treasure? Anyway, he had the documents examined in Paris and when he returned he appeared to dispose of loads of money with which he rebuilt his church (Saint Mary Magdalen's Church) in a somewhat Freemason's fashion. He also seemed to have enough money to build for himself a spacious refectory with a conservatory and a tower overlooking the whole valley. The documents in question apparently got lost in an 'accidental' fire.
True or made up? The village's reputation was established and thousands of tourists flock from all over the world to follow Saunière in his search for the Holy Grail.
Apparently lots of 'weird creatures' lived in Cathar Country, also in Rennes-le-Château, namely village pastor Saunière (The Da Vinci Code readers will certainly recognize that name). What information did the documents contain that Saunière was supposed to have found during works in his village church (end 19th century)? Jesus' secret family tree? A reference to the Templars' treasure? Anyway, he had the documents examined in Paris and when he returned he appeared to dispose of loads of money with which he rebuilt his church (Saint Mary Magdalen's Church) in a somewhat Freemason's fashion. He also seemed to have enough money to build for himself a spacious refectory with a conservatory and a tower overlooking the whole valley. The documents in question apparently got lost in an 'accidental' fire.
True or made up? The village's reputation was established and thousands of tourists flock from all over the world to follow Saunière in his search for the Holy Grail.