Rennes-le-Chateau

Today's adventure took us to Rennes le Chateau, famous  for conspiracies about secret documents "dangerous to the Catholic church", the bloodline of Jesus Christ  and buried treasure...and being the inspiration for Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code...

The village is perched on a very high hill - with an incredible view over the landscape below. The Tour Magdala (main) is a popular  image on anything advertising the village so I could not resist using it...I also did the requisite sketch of it..(extra)  How could one not?

The village has an incredible story behind it..and it helps that Isabelle, our driver and guide, lived in the village for two years with her husband who actually wrote a book about it! She fills in all the details for us and points out the significance of the unusual images and statuary in the church and around the village...

Speaking of images that are unusual...note that in the church collage, Mary has a baby in her arms as does Joesph..hmmmm..seems there is a theory that Jesus was a twin? Say what?  Oh..and the devil in the glass case that sits below the 4 angels in the church..is made even more interesting by part of my reflection:)) ( he is NOT on his cell phone!)

The sculptures that are now spread around the site were new to us..and very unusual too.. I did try to sketch part of one..quickly using an Elegant Writer pen that bleeds when you apply water. It didn't turn out well but I thought I needed to reassure people back home that we are doing more than just eating and taking photos! 

About the eating....It really was a great day that ended with a delicious dinner (salmon this time) back at le Monastère prepared by Isabelle - our woman of many talents who is performing well above her pay level! 

How will she surprise us with her talents tomorrow?