The village of Rennes le château

For many people, Rennes-le-Château is inseparable from the mystery surrounding Father Saunière – a mystery that has inspired 700 books, been filmed by TV crews from around the world, and attracts 120,000 visitors to our small village every year.

But Rennes-le-Château is also part of a wider cultural, historical and natural landscape with a host of attractions to be discovered. Located in the upper reaches of the Aude Valley 40 km south of Carcassonne, it perches on a panoramic hilltop with breath-taking views of Bugarach mountain to the east and the Pyrenees to the south. Its picturesque narrow streets and stone-built houses testify to the authenticity of this unspoiled village in the heart of Cathar Country.

Alongside the local shops, restaurants and B&Bs supporting our tourist industry, Rennes-le-Château is also a thriving agricultural community, with organic farming strongly represented. Time no more stands still in Rennes-le-Château than anywhere else, and we endeavour to be a modern municipality committed to serving our community and our visitors for the benefit of all.