My dear friends,

In October 2006, an Association was founded, which linked together an impressive number of Rennes-le-Chateau enthusiasts from almost every country in Europe and even from across the Atlantic. Men and women, fascinated by the village, its history and even its 'Affair': L'Association pour la Préservation de l'Ame de Rennes-le-Château (Association for the Preservation of the soul of Rennes-le-Chateau).

Days pass ... weeks and months slip by ... and now a year is gone since Jean-Luc, our Founder and Chairman, was lost to us. I find it hard to write these words. Some people have the gift of friendship. Jean-Luc had that gift in abundance and he gave it freely. I was proud to be his friend.

His battle for Rennes-le-Château was long and hard and he was mortally wounded in the fight. But he was not defeated. And his victory was his bequest to us. A legacy which we must not squander.

I think he would be proud to see how - even without his guiding hand - so much has already been achieved to put right the damage of the past and to set the village and our Association on the right paths.

I hope that all our friends across the world will continue to give us the support which we need. Each and every one of you - whether or not you had met Jean-Luc personally - has been touched by his friendship. Rennes-le-Château will not forget him - and neither will we.

And so, a year has passed and though we may mourn on this anniversary - we remember that it is also the anniversary of his triumph.

Henry LINCOLN, Président d'Honneur de l'APARC

Click here to read the articles in the press, featuring APARC.

Vice-president Nicolas de Léon opened the meeting at 14.30 hours in the Salles des Fêtes in Alet-les-Bains, with a homage to our dear departed Chairman-Founder, Jean-Luc Robin, who is greatly missed. The question arose whether this General Meeting is in accordance with the Articles of Association.

It was strange, when on 11th August 2008 a letter was received from a paramedic laboratory addressed to Curé SAUNIERE, Rennes-le-Château. In the envelope there was a leaflet and a free sample for an entirely new natural massage gel called 'ANGEL7'. This gel would have an amazing effect on painful muscles and aching joints.

Dutifully, as the French post service is, the postman delivered the letter to the Town Hall. Mr. Philippe Hui, The First Deputy, a man with a good sense of humour, opened the letter, learnt of its contents and advertisement and then responded to the laboratory with the following words:

"I would like to inform you that since the year 1917 I no longer suffer from rheumatism. Being the former priest of Rennes-le-Château, I reside at the cemetery, please change my address accordingly. I have left memories behind in Rennes-le-Château, which inspired the 'Da Vinci Code' and which attract very many tourists (see our website), and I will be happy to count you among the thousands of visitors that come to see my tomb each year."

Signed, Philippe HUI