Saunière and his family all originate from the little village of Montazels which lies slightly to the NE of Couiza.

Francois Béranger Saunière was born on the 11th April 1852 at exactly mid day in the village of Montazels. He was not a particularly bright child but he did have extraordinary leadership qualities and would often be seen at the head of his gang roaming the plateau of Rennes-le-Chateau. After leaving school, the priest of the village of Esperaza suggested that it would be a good idea for him to enter a seminary where he could study for the priesthood. This he did in the year 1870 at the age of 18 years. His studies unfortunately were slow, tedious and painstaking. Despite financial restrictions within the seminary which forced them to make cut-backs on tuition, Saunière with his almost insupportable  temperament was allowed to continue his studies. Eventually he was ordained priest and his first parish was that of Alet-les-Bains on 16th July 1879. On 16th June 1882 he was given the title of curate of the village of Clat and finally on 1st June 1885 he was sent to take up office in Rennes-le-Chateau, replacing the previous incumbent Antoine Croc who had only been in that position for three years. Saunière remained in RLC until his death on January 17, 1917.