Random encounters with the unusual: The Dirty Devil of Rennes-Le-Chateau

In May 2010 Mrs J and I visited the small French hilltop village of Rennes-Le-Chateau. The village is most popularly known due to claims that the local 19th-century priest (Father Bérenger Saunière) uncovered some form of treasure during his tenure in the village. The rumours surrounding the nature of the treasure are wide and varied and include claims that the treasure could be: the gold horde of Blanche de Castile (a ransom fund for Louis IX); proof that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene were married (which allowed Saunière to gain wealth by blackmailing the Vatican); treasures of the Temple of Soloman (including the Ark of the Covenant and the Menorah); and even the Holy Grail (which is also rumoured to have resided at one point at nearby Montsegur).

During our exploration of the village the only treasure that we came across was a rather naughty Devil that was residing inside the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene. The Devil lives just inside the entrance to the church and supports the holy water stoup. He greets visitors with an interesting hand gesture that most people would instantly recognize, and perhaps it is his own special message to would-be treasure hunters!