Gallery

Photo Gallery

The protagonists of DISCOVERY, David and Giselle, travel through the south of France, visiting medieval towns, holy sites and end up in Father François Bérenger Saunière’s mountaintop village of Rennes-le-Château.The French residents of the Languedoc are friendly and relaxed, quick to offer help, directions and a smile. It is commonly believed that Mary Magdalene arrived here after the crucifixion, and walked the countryside preaching love. Myth has it that she spent the last 30, some say 40, years of her life in a cave high on a mountaintop, where angels visited daily and danced with her in the clouds. She was doing penance, although Giselle points out in the book that she had nothing to be repentant for.

My husband, Bob, and I decided to trace David and Giselle’s steps, staying where they stayed and visiting the churches, the grotto and, of course Rennes-le-Château. We put a lot of miles on our rental car, and found out French “Siri” is much more polite than her American counterpart. Fortunately for me, Bob is fluent in French and willing to ask directions.

Reading about all these places online doesn’t do them justice. With the lavender in bloom on the mountainside and the brilliant Monet blue skies, it was a week of magic and discovery. I wasn’t thinking of a website at that time, just trying to capture the memories. And now I have these wonderful photos to share with my readers! I hope the written descriptions in the book bring these places to life, and inspire you to go and visit. You may not solve the mystery of Rennes-le-Château, but you’ll have an unforgettable adventure.

Please click the photos below for more information.

 

Rennes le Château

Basilique of Sainte Marie Madeleine Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume

Grotto of Sainte Marie Madeleine Plan-d’Aups-Sainte-Baume