While visiting the Cevennes, Jean Luc drove me to this museum where I learned about how the persecuted protestants had to pray in the "desert" (out in nature, as Jesus did) to escape Catholic persecution. According to one source "At least 250 000 French Huguenots fled to countries such as Switzerland, Germany, England, America, the Netherlands, Poland and South Africa, where they could enjoy religious freedom. As many were killed in France itself. Between 1618 and 1725 between 5 000 and 7 000 Huguenots reached the shores of America." Thus the Chapelier-Chappelear and Arnaud-Arnold Families left France for England and then to America which is a strong part of my family tree.
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