The legends of the fortress and the fortified keep in the area are true, but the identification of Rhedae of the Razes, the capital of the Visigoths, as Rennes le Chateau is in error, perhaps a deliberate error considering the element of secrecy that abounds in this place. In the Archives of Malta there is a reference to the district of the Aude, a Templar parchment referring to "Reddas" mysteriously disappeared from there along with the Chalice of Malta. An article by Mgr. Georges Boyer, Vicar-General covers the Visigothic past of the Rennes-le-Chateau area and the treasure hunting activity going on there, "We affirm without any hesitation that a treasure is hidden in an ancient necropolis, the existence of which is known to the bishopric of Carcassone, but about which she refuses to unveil the secret." In 1870 the author Firmin Jaffus wrote that "The Treasure of Solomon is buried either in Limoux or in Carcasonne." There were rumors that the Templars possessed vast underground complexes in the region. The Archives of Malta also mention the Templar occupation of Notre Dame de Marceille by 1269. Notre Dame de Marceille crowns a hill just outside Limoux which is north of Rennes-le-Chateau in the district of the Aude. The Aude River flows through the Rennes-le-Chateau area in the foothills of the Pyranees Mountians close to the Spanish border. The village of Limoux is 2000 years old and was built on 7 hills in imitation of Rome. The priests of Mars were the Roman forerunners of the Lazarist order which resides there now. These Lazarists were invited to Rennes-le-Chateau for the rededication of Sauniere`s remodeled parish church. The Countess of Chambord and her husband Henry V were interested in Notre Dame de Marceille despite being in exile. She donated to that church a Byzantine icon of the Madonna and child "engraved or corrugated in silver and gold, filled with precious stones" which was placed above the famous statue of the Black Madonna. Was the famous "secret" of the 17th century society of cognocenti the mysterious underground complex of Notre Dame de Marceille kept hidden by the Lazarists and the resident hermit who kept visitors and pilgrims away from the vaults near the river?

Theophile Lasserre, priest of Alet-les-Bains and co-owner of Notre Dame de Marceille which he had inherited through his family, relates an episode from the conflicts in southern France. "Thus undergoing the rage of the Muslims, the knowledge of this rich deposit and its whereabouts was carried into exile by faithful ministers, or went with them to the grave. The Moorish invasions would last for more than a century. The historian Marca states that to avoid persecution, the archbishops of Narbonne were obliged to take refuge in the stronghold of Redda - believed to be the modern Rennes-le-Chateau. This city was the capital of the Razes for more than a century, when the invasions continued." According to Lasserre, the treasure mentioned is that of Notre Dame de Marceille. Also, Rennes-le-Chateau is not really a stronghold, but Notre Dame de Marceille is. It was originally a Roman fort with a well inside and was later a Visigothic and then a Templar fortress. It is perfectly situated, being on a hill near a river. The nave was added to the original fort in the 16th century and the tile work on the floor displays the Star of David pattern used in the Languedoc, denoting the royal Jewish heritage of the area. Jean-Luc Chaumeil writes that the Bibliotheque Mazarin contains a document listing all the ancient places and their communities. On page 122 and 123, one Monsieur Roux has written on Limoux: "Limoux is mentioned for the first time in 854, in a document of Charles of Chauve, in favor of Ana, abbot of St. Hilaire, in the diocese of Carcassonne. As a result, certain authors have stated that this city existed in the time of Julius Caesar and that it was defended by a castle named Rhedae." "From the side of the mountain, where in the past the city of Rhedae stood, Limoux presents a more picturesque view."

This suggests that the Visigothic capital of Rhedae was not Rennes-le-Chateau, but Limoux and that the most important aspect of the town was the castle, not the castle of Rennes-le-Chateau, but instead a castle over-looking Limoux: perhaps Notre Dame de Marceille? This site had both a religious and military purpose.

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