To take advantage of the sometimes changeable weather in the area, there is no itinerary as such, instead the following day's excursion will be planned the night before in discussion with members of the tour.

However, the first day of the tour will be spent in Rennes-le-Chateau with a visit to the Church of Mary Magdalene. Then an exploration of Sauniere's domain, that includes his gardens, the villa Bethania, the glass orangey, the museum and of course what has now become an icon for the Rennes-le-Chateau mystery, the impressive Tour Magdala, which was once Saunière's library. A relaxing lunch will be served in the garden restaurant by the very friendly Tobi and Gerda.

 

UK  Booking Details

Tourbuchung Deutsch

Netherlands Booking Details

This is a postcard showing the Abbé Bérenger Saunière, Priest of Rennes le Chateau, Marie Denarnaud and her mother and sister, in the garden which is now Tobi and Gerda's restaurant garden.

Unique to this tour is the chance to compare many of the locations we visit to photographs taken during Saunière's era or shortly after. This means you will not only see any modern changes, but also see them as Saunière would have.

Some of the places on the tour include:

The village of Rennes-le-Chateau

Saunière's church dedicated to Mary Magdalene.

A visit to Saunière's domain and the museum. Using old Photographs and Postcards, some commissioned by the Abbe Saunière, you will be able to compare how it looked in Saunière's time to how it is today. Some examples are shown on the right.

The town of Esperaza - This will be on Sunday

The local market and the church of the Abbé Jean Rivière - the priest who heard Saunière's confession and who shortly after installed a grotto containing the body of Christ, with his eyes open! .

Les Pontils

The Poussin Tomb, the Pontils Menhir and the old Rose Marble quarry - which some say dates back to the Knights Templar.

Serres Templar Church

Inside is the unusual twin cross and the old murals that seem to depict the passing on of old documents - a secret perhaps?

The village of Rennes les Bains

The Source de la Madeleine, the Devil's Armchair
Le Roc Tremblant — the Trembling Rock, the Fontaine Ferrugineuse du Circle, commonly called Source of the circle and is the original. La Fontaine des Amours (Lovers Fountain.) The Roman Baths and you will also have a chance to bathe your feet in the thermal waters flowing into the river.

Pech Cardou

We will walk up to the summit of Pech Cardou to take in the amazing views.

Exclusive to this tour

We will visit the actual grotto that appears in the Altar from Sauinere's church, that he himself painted.

The Magdalene Grotto

This is the cave that can be seen from the windows on the staircase leading up to the top of the Tour Magdala.

The Ignace Paris Hole

According to local legend, this could be the hole that Ignace paris stumbled upon and found that it was full of treasure. And for those that are up for it, while we are here you can visit what I call the "Bat Cave" as it's full of bats.

Alet-les- Bains

A visit to the 14th Century Church, the Abbey ruins, Carvings at the “Nostradamus House" and then a visit to partake of the refreshing source of drinking water that is bottled and sold worldwide. But to visitors it is free, so bring along an empty bottle or two.

The Templar Chateau in Bezu

BEZU's former name was Albedunum which means White Fortress. This is an amazing place and the views back towards Rennes le Chateau are spectacular.

The Medieval Walled City of Carcassonne

A visit to the amazing and atmospheric La Cite, which was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997. Medieval Carcassonne is a fortified town rather than a castle - and perhaps the most impressive fortified medieval town to be found

It's surprising how much time it takes getting everyone in and out of the vehicles, traveling to different locations and eating lunch, which will for convenience, sometimes be a packed lunch picnic. Dinner though will be served every evening. This means that due to time constraints we may not be able to visit everything in this list, but we will do our best. However, if all goes to plan, and time permitting, we may be able to visit some extra locations of interest the tour group may want to see. Although rare, there may also be some late changes so please check periodically. Anyone already booked will be kept informed of any changes. Entry to some churches is dependant on the key holders being at home.

Old Photographs of Bérenger Sauinere's Domain taken around 1907

One of the sites we will visit is the tomb at Les Pontils (top) before it was destroyed by its present owner. (Bottom) The Shepherds of Acadia painting by Nicolas Poussin, which some say depicts the Pontils tomb.

Ben has two evening presentations planned.

Presentation 1

Using projected images and video clips, Ben will show how he deciphered some of the clues imbedded in Saunière's church decorations to find the tomb. This will include never before seen footage of the tomb, including the very first camera footage of the tomb.

Presentation 2

Also using projected images and video clips, Ben will show how he found more embedded clues that eventually led him to the discovery of a chest containing ancient coins and 2000 year old artifacts.

Inside a glass vial found in the chest was a small piece of rolled up vellum that seems to be the exact same vial and parchment Saunière's bell-ringer found in the church in 1891. It was shortly after handing it over to Sauniere that the priest seemed to come into a lot of money. Ben will present his evidence for this scenario.

On some other evenings, Tour members will have a chance to join Ben in a relaxing drink where he will share some of his amusing stories gathered while researching the Rennes-le-Chateau Mystery.

 

If you would like to register your interest in the Tour without any commitment, please send an email with the subject heading TOUR to rennes-le-chateau_tour@thetombman.com

Exclusive - On the first evening the names of every person on the Tour will be entered into a free raffle to win a complete set of Limited Edition Bérenger Saunière's 33 Rennes-le-Château Postcards.

Recommended Items for the tour

You will need to have a current passport with you plus a photocopy in case of a lost passport.

Please note that there is some walking involved so a comfortable pair of walking shoes or hiking boots is advisable.

Please bring the minimum amount of luggage as we have to fit everyone’s bags in the tour vans. Also, you will have to carry your own bags upstairs at the hotel.

A backpack is useful for our day trips and because of the changeable weather a waterproof coat may be needed.

And lastly, bring with you a cheery disposition, a willingness to make friends and a sense of adventure

Lost Tomb of the Knights Templar

by Ben Hammott

100 years ago a French priest embedded clues in his church leading to a secret location.
Those clues have been solved.
That location has been found.
The SECRET is revealed!

For those who have not yet read Ben's Lost Tomb of the Knights Templar, it is available from his extensive website covering the Rennes-le-Chateau Mystery.

Available to ORDER here - Over 660 Pages - Over 300 Images

Book information and advance chapters to read

Copies of this book and Ben's other publications will also be available on the tour. If you already have an unsigned copy, bring it with you for Ben to sign.

Lost Tomb of the Knights Templar

by Ben Hammott

NEW - Amazon Kindle version of Lost Tomb of the Knights Templar

Illustrated Guide to Rennes le Chateau No1 Also Available for Digital Download

Illustrated Guide to Rennes-le-Château 2 - Also Available for Digital Download

33 Cartes Postale l’Abbé Saunière -Also Available for Digital Download

BEN HAMMOTTS LIMITED EDITION DISCOVERIES ALBUM - Also Available for Digital Download

Novels by by Ben Hammott

BEGINNINGS - 1st Edition - The new novel by Ben Hammot is now available to Order

BEGINNINGS - Book 1 of the TOMB, the TEMPLE, the TREASURE

Ben weaves his research and discoveries into an exciting archaeological thriller spanning more than 2000 years. Beginning with the construction of Solomon's Temple, the Fall of Jerusalem, the creation of the Copper Scrolls and the forming of the Knights Templar and their mysterious tunneling under the Temple Mount. The story then takes us into the trap-riddled catacombs beneath Rosslyn Chapel, on to Rennes-le-Chateau, into the Tomb and beyond.

Beginnings by Ben Hammott Book Information

Click here for 1st Edition Bundle offers

AMAZON KINDLE VERSION Order Kindle version

Read Sample Chapters HERE

"Great first novel Ben, well done. I look forward to reading the 2nd installment." (FT-UK)

" I am happy to see you didn't disappoint with your new book Ben.  I found it very easy to read and just loved the Rosslyn Catacombs section. Exciting and funny in places. " (LN-UK)

AMAZON ADVENTURE by Ben Hammott

AMAZON ADVENTURE Information - Read Sample Chapters