Mythical Rennes-le-Chateau
Rennes-le-Chateau would have been yet another poor hard to reach hamlet, if not parish priest Béranger Saunière spent much money among others on a house (Villa Bethania), a curious library (Tour Magdala) and a better road from Cuiza. How did this simple priest suddenly become so rich? The mystery began with the restoration of the tiny church by Saunière around 1890. Did he find a treasure? Speculations include links to the Templars, the Priory of Zion, Cathars, the Holy Grail and even Christ having escaped crucifixion. Salut, Dan Brown.
A visit to the Domaine de l'Abbé Saunière, the priest former home and now a museum, sheds a little light on the mystery of his unexplained wealth. Next to it is the small medieval chapel, which can be entered through a side door, above which a Latin inscription welcomes you to this "terrible place". Inside, you are greeted by a rather sinister wooden carving of a demon...
