The mysterious Rennes le Chateau continues to arouse the minds of many in search for lost treasure. This tiny village in the south of France cultivates a garden of questions. One only has to browse through the entwining paths of its history to find their own particular pick.
The Da Vinci Code, a bestselling novel written by Dan Brown in 2003, surely aided in the growth of the enigma. The book directed attention to much of the secrecy seemingly surrounding the area. Curiosities abounded. It seems Dan Brown’s book merely fertilized the territory. His fictional characters and story encouraged exploration into true-life accounts.
Noel Corbu - the business owner
It appears awareness of a possible lost treasure in Rennes le Chateau was first promoted by Noel Corbu in the 1950s. After acquiring an estate once owned by the village priest Berenger Sauniere and turning parts of the property into a hotel and restaurant in 1955, Noel started sharing stories with his customers. Stories of coded parchments, hidden gold, and lost secrets of the past.
These fantastical tales were supported by a friendship he had with Marie Denarnaud. She had been Berenger Sauniere’s housekeeper and confidant. Mr. Corbu was promised by Marie that she would reveal to him a powerful secret. Unfortunately, she passed before she was ever able to share her knowledge with him.
Berenger Sauniere - the village priest
Delving into the life of Berenger Sauniere raises countless more questions. After becoming priest of Rennes le Chateau in 1885, reports he discovered an exceptional treasure of some kind while renovating his church surfaced. These accounts were advanced by his lifelong activities, provoking ever deeper suspicion. He spent unexplainable amounts of money, excavated parts of the church graveyard, defaced tombstones, travelled extensively, and entertained prominent guests.
Addition to these unusual behaviors for a small village priest, Sauniere continued to renovate and create. Up to the time of his death in 1917 he planned and changed the landscape of Rennes le Chateau. What he left behind in these designs and constructs may hold clues to his presumed wealth.
Gerard de Sede-the author
As the saga developed over time more details of incredible knowledge, supposed riches, secret societies, and more were exposed. As an author, Gerard de Sede (1921-2004) was inspired to write a book on the mystery of Berenger Sauniere and Rennes le Chateau entitled L’or de Rennes. This book later translated into English from the original French by Bill Kersey would bring into play the secret society of The Priory of Sion and Pierre Plantard.
Pierre Plantard-Grand Master
Many have contemplated whether Pierre Plantard (1920-2000) was actual Grand Master of a secret society called The Priory of Sion or the Grand Master of a complex scheme to claim personal connection to a royal bloodline with Merovingian Kings. Through documents, allegedly discovered by Berenger Sauniere, the assertion was fostered.
As more confounding documents appeared in the Bibliotheque Nationale de France the whole enigma surrounding Rennes le Chateau expanded. Now one may get lost in exploring all the different ideas, notions, and theories pertaining to a lost treasure located there. The field of inquiry has overgrown with speculation, making the search more entangled and yet irresistible.
The Holy Grail
Since history has been partially unearthed, it will not be silenced again. With real places, real people, real events involved, the truth of the matter patiently summons those who seek answers. The paths of discovery wait. For those who are willing to dig deeper, journey further into history, the treasure may actually turn out to be The Holy Grail.
Sources
- Baigent, Leigh, and Lincoln, Holy Blood, Holy Grail, Dell Publishing, 1982
- Kersey, Bill, The Accursed Treasure of Rennes le Chateau, DEK Publishing, 2001
Jenny Kile - Jenny Kile enjoys the freedom to explore, question, learn, and the opportunity Suite101 gives in order to then share with her readers.
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