Letter: Stars that cross the French landscape

Sir: The Egyptian pyramids may not be the only examples of sacred architecture seeking to reflect the positions of the stars (1 February). In his book, Rennes-le-Chateau, the French author Gerard de Sede mentions a claim by Leblanc (in Arsene Lupin et la comtesse de Cagliostro) to the effect that the positions of the seven abbeys of the Pays de Caux (between Montpellier and Beziers) reflect those of the seven stars of the Great Bear, Ursa Major, a claim that can apparently be confirmed by reference to any road map of the area.

Yours faithfully,

J. M. KELLY

Hildersham, Cambridgeshire

7 February