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Bugarach is at the foot of Pic de Bugarach, a 1,230 metres (4,040 ft) mountain peak and the highest summit in the Corbières Massif. The peak is also called the "upside down mountain" as the top layers of rock are older than the lower layers due to uplift of the Pyrenees.
The location is mentioned for the first time as Villa Burgaragio in 889 AD;[4] it derives from the name "Bugari" of the BulgarianBogomilis in medieval France.[5] In the 18th century the village became known for manufacturing wooden tools and hats. In modern times many esoteric and UFO legends have been connected to this place.
Economy
The major economic activity of the village and surrounding region is agriculture and tourism. Demand for holiday cottages and popularity with New Age followers led to a rise in real estate prices.[6]
Cult settlements
In the 1960s and 70s Pic de Bugarach became popular with the hippie movement. Later in the 20th century it became popular with New Age followers who believed the "upside down mountain" had mystical powers, spreading to the belief that the village would be spared in the forecast 2012 apocalypse.[7][8][9]
Cult followers believed aliens resided inside the mountain and would spare any humans that decide to leave the planet with them in the coming apocalypse.[10][11][12][13][14] In 2011, the number of visitors doubled to over 20,000 and France's cult watchdog, Miviludes, placed the village under scrutiny due to concern over possible mass suicides. The mayor even considered calling the army over concerns caused by this issue.[15][16]
^Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de lieux en France, Ch. Rostaing 1963
^Lionel Fanthrope, Patricia Fanthrope, Mysteries of Templar, Treasure & the Holy Grail: The Secrets of Rennes Le Chatea Weiser Books, 2004, ISBN 157863315X, p. 68.
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