With a population of nearly 200, this picturesque village is as typical as possible for a small French village. However, there is a threat looming in the months ahead. Bugarach is located at the foot of Pic de Bugarach, a 1,230-meter (4,040 ft) mountain peak and the highest summit in the Corbières mountains. Also known as the “upside down mountain” as its top layers are older than the lower layers due to uplift of the Pyrenees.
The mayor, Jean-Pierre Delord, vows to call in the military to protect his village from an onslaught of outsiders. The French government agency Miviludes is monitoring sect movements and suicide attempts at the village of Bugarach, which is believed to be the escape route to doomsday events.
What could possibly threaten the serenity of such a tranquil, nearly hidden village deep in the south of France? New Agers and UFO followers have already begun to descend upon Bugarach. The ominous date 12/21/12 or 21 December, 2012 has been seized upon as the highly prophesized Armageddon. This is the end date of the Mayan Calendar and long predicted as the date this world would end. Followers believe that a portal exists into “the next world” and have identified Bugarach as the only portal or door into the next world. Another date is often referred: 12 December 2012 or 12/12/12.
There have been people turning up in Bugarach for 
over a decade in search
of aliens thanks to claims made by publications that reports UFO’s and other such assertions.
There are unconfirmed reports that Steven Spielberg visited the area and found inspiration for his film Close Encounters of The Third Kind. Yet it was in the state of Wyoming where filming actually took place.
Presently, interest in the village is soaring as websites in the US and other countries which cater to the New Agers and UFO fanciers recommending that they seek refuge there as this ominous date draws closer. An infusion of thousands of people on a tiny village without adequate commerce and other resources concerns the inhabitants of Bugarach and the neighbouring villages who will be inundated.
Bisous,
Léa
found-in-france 
Beautiful photographs! Did you take them? Interesting subject. Do you, by any chance, get an American show in France called “Ancient Aliens?”
Yes. I took the photos in September. I live in the Corbieres so while a friend was visiting, we made a day trip to Bugarach. I am not familiar with Ancient Aliens but will look into it. I am glad you enjoyed the photos. If you get to this part of the world, Bugarach is lovely and the forest is magical! However, since I am fairly local, I do share the marie (mayor’s) concerns should large numbers of people appear. Thanks for visiting my blog. You can also visit me at my other blog at http://poetryphotosandmusingsohmy.wordpress.com
I can completely understand the Mayor’s concerns. There is no way that this village can support any influx of people. I feel saddened that there is this interest in the end of the world, actually it’s not an interest, it is a fear.
I love your photos. I can completely understand why you went to France. It is a stunning place and incredibly rural for being part of busy Europe, with so many unspoiled places. Enjoy.
Better known as Paradise. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will visit again or perhaps my other blog: http://poetryphotosandmusingsohmy.wordpress.com
Léa
Good photographs, lea, little paradise of a village which was a well- read item recently. Am glad the feared day silently passed away today. Stay well, and have a happy holiday ahead!
It is a lovely village on the edge of a stunning forest. However, the dreaded doomsday is scheduled for during the night tonight. If you take a glance at the other blog, I wrote a poem yesterday with my response to it all. It is always lovely to hear from you.
Currently, I am unable to access READER on wordpress and that has gone on for the past two months. Of course I am way behind on catching up with all those blogs I have subscribed to. The only ones I get to see are the few that come directly into my email inbox.
Have a wonderful holiday season.