Case file · Folklore / legend
The Rennes-le-Château treasure myth
From 1956, hotelier Noël Corbu publicised the legend that the village priest Bérenger Saunière (in post from 1885) had found a fabulous treasure, explaining his lavish buildings.
1956 CE · 42.93, 2.26 · status: hoax
The account
Pierre Plantard and Gérard de Sède spun it into the Priory of Sion mythology; 'The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail' (1982) and 'The Da Vinci Code' brought crowds of treasure hunters.
The sceptical view
Saunière's money came from trafficking in Masses, for which his bishop suspended him; the treasure story was promotion for Corbu's restaurant.