A century ago, the village priest from Rennes-le-Château made a remarkable discovery within a structural column on his church grounds. After presenting his discovery in Paris, he returned to lead a life of considerable luxury until his passing in the 20th century. Even to this day, the exact nature of his find remains unknown.
For over a hundred years, this tiny hilltop village has been shrouded in intrigue and mysticism. Treasure seekers, history enthusiasts and religious followers have dedicated years to unraveling the mysteries surrounding a humble parish priest suddenly investing millions of francs in a small village. Tombstone inscriptions were removed, a tower dedicated to Mary Magdalene was constructed, the church was renovated, a private château was built and a four-mile road was paved up to the secluded hilltop village. The allure of the area has attracted numerous groups and individuals eager to decode the priest’s cryptic messages.
Producer and writer Henry Lincoln first introduced this intriguing area to British audiences through the BBC. Over the course of a decade, he presented three fascinating stories, each uncovering connections to renowned artists, European Kings, and the legendary treasures of King Salomon. Initially sparked by curiosity, Mr. Lincoln found a wealth of information too vast to be contained within only three one-hour television episodes. This led him to write numerous books on the subject and co-author “Holy Blood, Holy Grail” in an effort to unravel these mysteries.
Interest in Rennes-le-Château persisted into the late 20th century, further fueled by Dan Brown’s acclaimed novel “The Da Vinci Code” and its film adaptation starring Tom Hanks, which propelled this quaint village into the international spotlight. With ties to the esteemed artist Nicolas Poussin and the enigmatic Knights Templar, the region continues to capture the attention and wonder of millions.
Our retreat group will spend an afternoon in this tiny village experiencing the unique energy that draws so many to this secluded hilltop, not in pursuit of material treasures, but to connect with profound spiritual spaces that have fascinated visitors for centuries. Further enhancing our experience, David Bailey will help channel this energy through his classical piano meditation.
