Father Saunière domain and the church
The Museum Domaine de l’abbé Saunière will be open :
From 1 April 2023
Opening hours :
– April to May: from 10:30 to 13:00 and from 13:30 to 18:00
– June and September : from 10:30 to 13:00 and from 13:30 to 18:30
– July and August: from 10am to 7pm –
October to mid-November and Christmas holidays: from 10.30am to 1pm and from 1.30pm to 5.30pm
Entrance fees :
– 6€/pers
– 5€/child from 10 years old and students
– Free for children under 10 years old
Our services : Visit with digital tablet 8€ / tablet
Free quiz for children
Group tours :
Book your guided tours for groups! (min 10 pers – 8€/pers.) by writing to Lydia at the following address: tourisme.rlc@orange.fr
Dogs are allowed (on a leash).
The museum is an atypical architectural complex built by Abbé Saunière between 1900 and 1910. A visit to this historic site includes the elements described below.
Magdala Tower
The Magdala Tower is the emblematic town building ( neo-Gothic style). The visit allows you to enter the tower to discover the priest’s former library and to climb onto the crenellated platform.
The glass tower and wall
As you reach the glass tower, you will enjoy an incredible panorama of the upper Aude valley. The magnificent Abbé Saunière’s winter garden, will welcome your thoughts, soothed by this haven of peace.
VILLA BethanY
Discover the Villa Bethany, a very smart residence to which the priest attached a glazed private chapel.
The gardens
Walking through the garden, you might want to take a glance at the beautiful orange trees, winter garden of Father Saunière.
When the nice weather comes, you will be able to discover Father Saunière rose collections and take a break in the garden on a bench
The presbytery – MUSEUM
Physically attached to the church, the old presbytery has today been turned into the Bérenger Saunière Museum. Here you can learn more about this astonishing parish priest and his discoveries, and also about developments since his death. Information panels, archival material, furnishings, scale models and video projections carry you into the heart of the enigma that is Rennes-le-Château.
The original Carolingian altar pillar
The original Carolingian altar pillar that may have contained mysterious documents.
The Carolingian Knights’ Stone
The Carolingian Knights’ Stone uncovered by the priest in 1887 (and beneath which, it is said, Father Saunière discovered a pot of gold coins and a skull pierced by a hole).
The museum shop
EXPO IN THE GARDENS
The museum free access shop, offers local products, postcards and souvenirs.
You will also find many books on the complete history of Bérenger Saunière, as well as books on history, esotericism, Marie Madeleine, comics and local novels.
No shop online.
ACTUALLY IN THE GARDENS: The marble sculptures of the exhibition “Féminin” by Christian Jacques can be discovered in the gardens of the museum domaine de l’abbé Saunière until 15 November 2022.Your
St Mary Magdalene’s church
Free access. Be sure to check the different strange apects of the Mary Magdalene church. More than just a piece of history, some hidden messages are engraved in the stones. Before coming in the church, you may be warned by such writing “Terribilis este locus iste”, which means this place is terrible, terrible meaning strong, powerful and great…
