Extraits de

« Da Vinci Code»

Fact

The Priory of Sion – a European secret society founded in 1099 – is a real organization. In 1975 Paris’s Bibliothèque Nationale discovered parchments known as Les Dossiers Secrets, identifying numerous

  members of the Priory of Sion, including Sir Isaac Newton, Sandro Botticelli, Victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci.
The Vatican prelature known as Opus Dei is a deeply devout Catholic sect that has been the topic of recent controversy due to reports of brainwashing, coercion and a dangerous practice known as ‘corporal mortification’. Opus Dei has just completed construction of a $47 		 

million National Headquarters at 243 Lexington Avenue in New York City.
All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.

Chapter 19

The Church of Saint-Sulpice, it is said, has the most eccentric history of any building in Paris. Built over the ruins of an ancient temple to the
 
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  Egyptian goddess Isis, the church possesses an architectural footprint matching that of Notre Dame to within inches. The sanctuary has played host to the baptisms of the Marquis de Sade and Baudelaire, as well as the marriage of Victor Hugo. The attached seminary has a well-documented history of unorthodoxy and was once the clandestine meeting hall for numerous secret societies. Tonight, the cavernous nave of Saint-Sulpice  

was as silent as a tomb, the only hint of life the faint smell of incense from mass earlier that evening. Silas sensed an uneasiness in Sister Sandrine’s demeanour as she led him into the sanctuary. He was not surprised by this. Silas was accustomed to people being uncomfortable with his appearance.
‘You’re an American,’ she said.
‘French by birth,’ Silas responded. ‘I had my calling in Spain, and I now

  

study in the United States.’
Sister Sandrine nodded. She was a small woman with quiet eyes. ‘And your have never seen Saint-Sulpice?’
‘I realize this is almost a sin in itself.’
‘She is more beautiful by day.’
‘I am certain. Nonetheless, I am grateful that you would provide me this opportunity tonight.’
‘The abbé requested it. You obviously have powerful friends.’
You have no idea, Silas thought.

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As he followed Sister Sandrine down the main aisle, Silas was surprised by the austerity of the sanctuary. Unlike Notre Dame with its colourful frescos, gilded altar-work, and warm wood, Saint-Sulpice was stark reminiscent of the ascetic cathedrals of Spain. The lack of décor made the interior look even more expansive, and as Silas gazed up into the soaring ribbed vault of the ceiling, he imagined he was

 

standing beneath the hull of an enormous overturned ship.

  

 
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