About Us

The history of the area of Rhedae, where Saunière lived and worked, was set against a fascinating backdrop of archaeological mystery. Why did the Romans come to Rennes-les-Bains? Where was the colossal ancient treasure of the Visigoths finally laid to rest? 
The backdrop later featured mysterious medieval knights, the Templars as well as their special detachment, the Templars of the Roussillon, persecuted religious sects like the Cathars as well as a more recent history which encompassed the aftermath of the French Revolution. There are the fascinating nobles of the area, the family of the Aniorts, the Hautpoul and the Fleurys. 

In our modern times the backdrop consisted of the machinations of a bizarre and not so secret Secret Society. This is the infamous Priory of Sion - mainly consisted of two steering characters - Pierre Plantard and Philippe de Chérisey. They had, between them, added much more to the Saunière drama. Plantard and Chérisey - early on - had met Noel Corbu, the person who inherited the Saunière estate directly from Marie Denarnaud. Denarnaud was Saunière's  lifelong companion and confidante. It was she who was by his side when he made his 'discoveries', it was she by his side when he was digging in the cemetery and upturning graves well into the night, it was she who covered for him by sending out pre-prepared fake letters. She also said in later life that she knew a secret pertaining to religion.  She had promised Corbu that one day she would tell him about an incredible secret that would make him very powerful.  

And a village elder also recalled a religious lesson she had given during one Sunday school class. He said, after the death of Bérenger, when Marie often taught Catholicism in the Sunday school - after an hour of class, when she had finished, she closed the book, looked at the children and said, ‘my poor kids, if you only knew’.

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This blog reports on all the news & opinion on this amazing story!

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