Understand
The mountain forests all around are teaming with interesting people escaped from the world's cities to live before open fires, work the land, bring up children in healthy, stimulating environments, dance and sing.
This area was once home to the last of the Cathars and their wandering troubadours. Some of the Cathars who were burned at the stake for refusing to renounce their beliefs reputedly sang out they would come back 700 years later.
It is just possible to view the new inhabitants of these mountains as 'les nouveaux Cathars'. The first wave came in the mid 70's when some 30,000 'jeunes marginales' from other parts of the world came to settle and reclaim the many old ruined farms. The latest wave is different, mostly English and retired, buying second homes as investments. At the same time however there is a notable influx of younger people, mostly women, seeking spiritual understanding.
The area around Rennes le Chateau nonetheless remains still one of the most sparsely populated areas of Europe.
To fly over Rennes le Chateau, virtually, visit the Hot Springs of Rennes les Bains and visit La Mouline in video: www.lamouline.fr
