Michel Vallet has just put online a postcard of the Tour Magdala dating from circa the 1930s

Here’s a translation of what it says on the postcard with a transcript of the original French.

Rennes – Saturday 3rd

My dear Brother and Sister,

It is in this tower containing 2,000 books and 300,000 postcards that I spend most of my time when I’m in Rennes. The view is splendid, for all around there are mountains, and villages on the hillside. I’m leaving on Monday for Quillan for 3 days, to then return to Rennes for another 3 days. Unfortunately the grapes are not ripe yet! I embrace you with all my heart, as also Jean, Madeleine, Michel and Jean Claude (not forgetting his young fiancée!)

A. Bertran


Rennes – le samedi 3

Chers Frère et Sœur,

C’est dans cette tour qui contient 2,000 volumes et 300,000 cartes postales que je passe la plupart du temps quand je suis à Rennes – Le point de vue est splendide tout autour ce sont des montagnes et des villages à flanc de coteau – Je pars lundi pour Quillan pour 3 jours pour revenir ensuite 3 jours à Rennes – Malheureusement les raisins ne sont pas encore mûrs! Je vous embrasse de tout cœur aussi que Jean, Madeleine, Michel, Jean Claude sans oublier sa jeune fiancée!

A. Bertran



Who was A. Bertran?

A. Bertran was at least an amateur cinematographer who helped Marie Dénarnaud pay her taxes. These translations are from the recent book by Claire Corbu & Antoine Captier, Marie Dénarnaud – Bérenger Saunière: liés par un Secret Rennes-le-Château (pages 181-182, Éditions Pégase, 2018):

Letters from A. Bertran, the cinematographer, to Marie Dénarnaud:

3 January 1941

‘The relatives of the 94-year-old grandmother whom I filmed three years ago have asked me if I could make an enlargement, but the photographer has said he can’t manage it because the images are too small’, he wrote to Marie, asking her to apologise to her family for the situation.

Marie knew he was a generous man and that when she asked for his help he would always come to her assistance:

7 February 1941

‘I’ve just sent you the money-order. I’m therefore sending you the 210 francs which they are asking you for. No doubt more prosperous times are in the offing if you manage to sell your house, but prospective purchasers are not exactly queueing up.’

‘I will bring up the projector which I acquired last year and will present a show to the entire parish! In anticipation of the great pleasure of meeting you in one month from now I send you, my dear Marie, my most sincere friendship and warm regards to all your family.’

‘I’m sending you a money-order for 200 francs to help you a little. I would have liked to have sent you more if my sister had paid me but she has some tenants who’ve been called up for the war and are not paying her at the moment. I’m looking forward to hearing some good news from you. Meanwhile I send you my best wishes for your good health and my warm regards to Julie and her family.’

‘Is the schoolteacher still lodging with you? There’s obviously no news from the village otherwise you would have told me what it was. I hope all your family is well. Say hello to all of them for me and tell them that I will always remember them in my prayers. I am sending you 100 francs which I hope will cheer you up. I will leave you now Marie, while sending you my sincerest good wishes.’