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From the 1985 book by Antoine Captier and Clair Corbu L'Héritage de l'Abbé Saunière: "Dès le 15 avril 1918, elle emprunte 1100 francs à une personne qui lui fournit aussi des produits agricoles; en 1921, elle lui devra la somme de 3.638 francs qu'elle sera incapable de lui rembourser. Elle doit aussi faire face aux tracasseries des services des impots: ‘Le Receveur des Finances, lui écrit son percepteur, me demande l'état des contribuables qui ne se sont pas acquittés des impositions de 1922. En même temps il me donne l'ordre de poursuivre et de faire des frais pour faire rentrer ce qui est dû...’ Pour faire face â tous ces règlements, elle va prendre successivement trois hypothèques qu'elle trainera toute sa vie."
That translates: "As from 15 April 1918 she borrowed 1100 francs from someone who also supplied her with farm produce; in 1921 she will owe him the sum of 3638 francs which she will be unable to repay. She must also face tax worries: ‘The Official Receiver’ – her tax collector is writing to her – ‘is asking me about the situation with regard to the rates which have not been paid off from demands relating to 1922. At the same time he is giving me instructions to carry on and to bear the costs in order to get returned what is owing...’ To deal with all these payments she is going to take out three mortgages, which she will have dogging her all her life."
By mentioning "mortgages" the authors meant what people in the English-speaking world would understand as meaning money loans from friends and Antoine Captier was directly contacted about this, and he confirmed that is what was meant. There are two property taxes in France (‘Tax Fonciere’ and ‘Taxe D'habitation’) – that are not based upon personal financial savings or on the ability to pay. If you live in a mansion in France that is worth 200 million pounds and you have no money – tough! You have to pay the property taxes – and if you can't, you have to find a way or end up being in serious trouble. Marie Denarnaud’s financial problems only became solved when she was bailed out by Noel Corbu in 1946. Such was Marie Dénarnaud’s financial plight, she attempted at one stage to sell Bérenger Saunière’s estate, with the aid of Abbé Eugène Grassaud – a letter exists confirming this.
Letter from Abbé Eugène Grassaud to Mlle Marie Dénarnaud dated 10 May 1918: Mademoiselle Marie, It was not possible for me to make the promised visit at Easter. When you have to tell me something important, you could come yourself if the health of your parents permits it. A month ago I received from the same person who passed on my letter to you another letter in which it is said you are going to have a visit from one or two people about the purchase of the château. 1. Ask for 200,000 francs, apart from coming down later to 190,000 francs if that is necessary: hold firm, deal with it yourself without using the solicitor of C. who should have sorted it out earlier. 2. Furniture has become very expensive. 3. At the present time the newly rich English and Americans are looking out for good furniture. 4. It would be better to put in your own house what you want to keep. 5. Hold firm on the price. 6. As soon as you have had a visit write to me and except at the full price do not commit yourself in writing without writing first to me. 7. Ask always who they are and on whose behalf do they come and put it in writing.
Yours devotedly,
Taken from Francois Grassaud, L'Abbé Saunière de 1885 á 1909, Curé de Rennes-le-Château (Realisation Fenouille des Impression; 2000) |