Medieval abbey built on the foundations of a Roman temple, situated 7 miles north of Rennes-le-Château in southern France. A carving at the old baths depicts the symbolic transfer of Templar knowledge into Freemasonry.
About This Site
The Abbey of Alet-les-Bains is a medieval monastic complex in the commune of Alet-les-Bains in the Aude department of southern France, approximately seven miles north of the village of Rennes-le-Château. The abbey was built on the foundations of a Roman temple and became an important religious centre during the medieval period, serving as the seat of a bishopric from the 9th century. The town's thermal baths, known since Roman times, attracted visitors throughout the medieval and early modern periods. The surrounding Languedoc region was a stronghold of both Cathar Christianity and the Knights Templar during the 12th and 13th centuries, and the landscape between Alet-les-Bains and Rennes-le-Château is rich with sites connected to both traditions.
Connection to Oak Island
In Season 2, Marty and Alex Lagina traveled to southern France with author and researcher Kathleen McGowan. At the old baths of Alet-les-Bains, they met Tobi, a modern-day Knight Templar and Templar historian. Tobi showed the group a carving depicting a Templar cross with a flash descending through angel wings into a handshake, a symbol he explained represents the transfer of Templar knowledge into Freemasonry. The carving provided a visual link between the Templar order and the Masonic tradition that has been connected to Oak Island through multiple lines of evidence, including the Masonic affiliations of early searchers, the Masonic membership of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the geometric symbolism embedded in Nolan's Cross.
When asked about Oak Island, Tobi pointed to the carved stone found at the centre of Nolan's Cross and described what had been identified as a sword on its surface as a possible Templar tomb marker, suggesting the stone may mark a burial or repository rather than simply serving as a geographic reference point.
Fieldwork Notes
Visited during Season 2 by Marty Lagina and Alex Lagina with researcher Kathleen McGowan. Templar historian Tobi guided the group through the old baths, showing them the Templar-to-Freemason transfer carving and identifying the Nolan's Cross stone as a possible Templar tomb marker.
