Only place to be spared by Mayan apocalypse

As the world inches towards its supposed end date of December 21, 2012, rumors have spread of one town that will somehow avoid the apocalypse: the quiet southern French town of Bugarach. French authorities have pleaded with New Age fanatics, sightseers and media crews not to converge on the scenic village.

According to Internet rumors, a giant UFO and aliens are said to be waiting under the mountain, ready to burst through and spirit those nearby to safety. But here is bad news for those seeking salvation: French gendarmes, some on horseback, are blocking outsiders from reaching the Bugarach peak and its village of some 200 people.

A dog is pictured under an information board for a restaurant reading "The end of the world, is here" on Dec. 20, 2012, in the southwestern village of Bugarach.

A man walks with a stick past gendarmes controlling the access to the French southwestern village of Bugarach on Dec. 20, 2012.

Picture taken on Dec. 20, 2012, in the French southwestern village of Bugarach of the high peak of Bugarach.

People walk past the high peak of Bugarach, on Dec. 20, 2012, in the French southwestern village of Bugarach.

Journalists' film the high peak of Bugarach - one of the few places on Earth some believe will be spared when the world allegedly ends according to claims regarding the ancient Mayan calendar, on Dec. 20, 2012, in the French southwestern village of Bugarach.

French mounted police patrol on Dec. 20, 2012, in the French southwestern village of Bugarach, near the high peak of Bugarach - one of the few places on Earth some believe will be spared when the world allegedly ends according to claims regarding the ancient Mayan calendar.

Picture taken Dec. 20, 2012, in the French southwestern village of Bugarach of the high peak of Bugarach - one of the few places on Earth some believe will be spared when the world allegedly ends according to claims regarding the ancient Mayan calendar.

Members of the "Amis du Pic" (Peak's friends) association propose foods and different items to visitors in their "Bug' boutic" (Bugarach shop), on Dec. 20, 2012, in the French southwestern village of Bugarach.

The gendarmerie control Bugarath, the small village in the foothills of the Pyrenees on Dec. 20, 2012, in Bugarach, France.

A sign, reading 'The end of the world, is here', advertises a restaurant in Bugarath, the small village in the foothills of the Pyrenees on Dec. 20, 2012, in Bugarach, France.

The sun rises over Bugarath, the small village in the foothills of the Pyrenees on Dec. 20, 2012, in Bugarach, France.

French Gendarmes patrol in a street where mobile-homes park, on Dec. 20, 2012, in the French southwestern village of Bugarach.

Gendarmerie on horseback control Bugarath, the small village in the foothills of the Pyrenees on Dec. 20, 2012, in Bugarach, France.

Backpackers arrive in Bugarath, the small village in the foothills of the Pyrenees on Dec. 20, 2012, in Bugarach, France.

A TV camera man shoots towards the mountains in Bugarath, the small village in the foothills of the Pyrenees on Dec. 20, 2012, in Bugarach, France.

French Gendarmes control on Dec. 20, 2012, the access to the French southwestern village of Bugarach.

A sign, reading 'The end of the world, is here', advertises a restaurant in Bugarath, the small village in the foothills of the Pyrenees on Dec. 20, 2012, in Bugarach, France.

A backpacker arrives in Bugarath, the small village in the foothills of the Pyrenees on Dec. 20, 2012, in Bugarach, France.

Bottles of wine and backpacks are proposed to visitors at the "Bug' boutic" (Bugarach shop) of the "Amis du Pic" (Peak's friends) association, on Dec. 20, 2012, in the French southwestern village of Bugarach.

Members of the "Amis du Pic" (Peak's friends) association propose foods and different items to visitors in their "Bug' boutic" (Bugarach shop), on Dec. 20, 2012 in the French southwestern village of Bugarach.

The gendarmerie control Bugarath, the small village in the foothills of the Pyrenees on Dec. 20, 2012, in Bugarach, France.

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