The Da Vinci Code Summary

Description

Here you will find a The Da Vinci Code summary (Dan Brown's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.

P.S.: As an Amazon Associate, we earn money from purchases made through links in this page. But the summaries are totally free!

Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

Chapters

The Da Vinci Code Summary Overview

Within the heart of the Louvre, a zealous monk named Silas interrogates museum curator Jacques Saunière, seeking the location of the Holy Grail. Saunière deceives Silas about its whereabouts before being fatally shot, leaving him enough time to create a cryptic message in his own blood. Meanwhile, Robert Langdon, a symbology professor and the main character, is called by detective Jerome Collet to interpret the scene, unaware he's under suspicion himself. Silas, deceived by Saunière's misleading information, goes to the Church of Saint-Sulpice only to realize he's been tricked. In a fury, he kills the church's guardian, Sister Sandrine Bieil. Sophie Neveu, Saunière's granddaughter and a cryptology agent, arrives at the crime scene. She instructs Langdon to call the embassy, leading him to a message warning him of his perilous situation. She reveals to Langdon that they're being tracked by police captain Bezu Fache and successfully diverts the tracker. Sophie and Langdon discover a hidden key behind one of the Louvre's paintings, leading them to a Swiss bank. Inside the bank, they discover a cryptex designed by Da Vinci, an intricate device only unlockable with a password. Despite being pursued by the authorities, bank manager André Vernet aids their escape. Seeking help to unlock the cryptex, Sophie and Langdon approach historian Sir Leigh Teabing. He unwraps the legend of the Holy Grail, suggesting it is Mary Magdalene's remains and documents proving her royal lineage with Jesus. Their meeting is interrupted by Silas demanding the cryptex. They manage to overpower and capture Silas, before escaping to England via Teabing's private plane. Here, they unravel more cryptex clues leading them to the tomb of Sir Isaac Newton in Westminster Abbey. Teabing reveals himself as the orchestrator of the events, wishing to uncover the secret of the Holy Grail. After a tense standoff, Teabing is apprehended by Fache and the remaining cryptex clue leads Sophie and Langdon to Scotland where she discovers her connection to Mary Magdalene's lineage.

prologue

Jacques Saunière finds himself trapped in the Louvre's Grand Gallery, attempting to evade a hostile albino who's chasing him. In desperation, he sets off the gallery's alarm by dislodging a Caravaggio painting, hoping the security cage will impede his pursuer. Unfazed, the albino coerces Saunière at gunpoint to divulge the whereabouts of an undisclosed "it". Saunière initially feigns ignorance before offering a rehearsed deception. The albino isn't swayed, revealing that Saunière's three associates gave identical responses before he shot them. He shoots Saunière in the abdomen, leaving him to die after uttering, "Pain is good." Struggling against imminent death, Saunière is suddenly gripped by a dread realization - their shared secret will perish with him. With this thought, he's filled with an urgent need to prevent this, despite his fast-approaching end.

chapter 1

Sleeping in his Ritz hotel room in Paris, Robert Langdon is abruptly woken by a call from the concierge informing him of a crucial visitor. Langdon, considering his earlier religious symbology lecture, assumes he's upset a conservative and instructs the concierge to dismiss the visitor. He's used to causing controversy, as evidenced by a past clash at the Vatican. Not long after, the concierge contacts Langdon again, disclosing that the visitor is en route to his room. The visitor, a French Judicial Police agent, inquires about Langdon's intended meeting with his friend Jacques Saunière post-lecture for drinks. Langdon reveals that Saunière never showed up. The agent informs Langdon of Saunière's death and presents a photo of the arranged corpse. A shocked and frightened Langdon recognizes the arrangement style from a previous Vatican incident.

chapter 2

Silas, an albino assailant, enters a home seemingly affiliated with his religious group, where he has a room. In his nightstand, he uncovers a mobile phone which he uses to contact the Teacher. Silas informs that Saunière and his three associates have been eliminated, each revealing the Church of Saint- as the secret location of the sought-after keystone. On hearing this, the Teacher instructs Silas to retrieve the keystone from Saint-Sulpice without delay. Prior to carrying out the orders, Silas partakes in "corporal mortification," a self-inflicted physical punishment performed as atonement for sins. He fastens a barbed punishment belt around his leg, lashes himself, and chants his belief: “Pain is good.”

chapter 3

Langdon departs his lodgings and is driven to the Louvre by Jerome Collet, a member of the French law enforcement. As they travel, Langdon appreciatively observes Paris's architectural heritage. He daydreams about a rendezvous with his past love, Vittoria, at the Eiffel Tower, which he also critiques as a symbol of societal male dominance. Upon arrival, he is dropped off at the museum's glass pyramid entrance, a creation of I.M. Pei. Inside, he comes face-to-face with Bezu Fache, the commanding police officer, also known as "the Bull."

chapter 4

Fache escorts Langdon through the gloomy Louvre to the Grand Gallery, the place where Saunière's body is located. It's discovered that Saunière had an appreciation for goddess symbolism— artifacts from religions venerating the holy feminine—and Langdon is penning a book on the same topic. His book has been kept confidential due to his view that some of his findings may stir controversy. Fache comes across as quite disagreeable and somewhat aggressive. Langdon observes that the detective sports a crux gemmata, a religious brooch illustrating Jesus and his twelve disciples. Around Saunière's body is a metal barrier, a component of “containment security,” a strategy employed by the museum to apprehend robbers in the establishment. Fache directs Langdon to crawl under the barrier with him, resulting in Langdon accidentally hitting his head.

chapter 5

Bishop Manuel Aringarosa, head of Opus Dei, departs from his posh New York headquarters to Rome, modestly dressed but with a noticeable bishop's ring. As he travels, he contemplates about Opus Dei's past, a traditional Catholic group from the early 1900s. Currently, it's under fire from detractors labeling it as a cult. However, the major concern for Opus Dei isn't the public or the critics but an undisclosed threat that emerged five months ago. During the flight, Aringarosa gets a call revealing that the keystone is hidden in the Church of Saint-Sulpice, discovered by Silas. The Bishop commits to facilitate Silas's entry into the church. Concurrently, Silas gears up to secure the keystone, a mission that brings back memories of his turbulent past due to its thrilling nature.

chapter 6

Langdon stands before Saunière's lifeless body and shares with Fache the implications of the peculiar positioning of the deceased. Saunière's body showcases a pentacle, drawn with his blood on his own stomach. This five-pointed star is a symbol of the Venus, a pagan goddess and is frequently misconstrued as a devil worship symbol. Fache presents Langdon with a phosphorescent marker tightly gripped by Saunière. This marker, typically used by the gallery staff to make notes on artwork, reveals a hidden message under a black light. Fache seeks Langdon's assistance in deciphering its meaning. Meanwhile, from Saunière's old office, Collet records their conversation.

chapter 7

Sister Sandrine of the Church of Saint-Sulpice is jolted awake by a late-night call from her superior. He informs her that Aringarosa requested for an Opus Dei member to access the church immediately. Despite her surprise, she carries out his instructions. Though obedient, she harbors suspicions towards Opus Dei. She finds their tradition of "corporal mortification", which is physical self-punishment, unsettling and is against their gender discrimination.

chapter 8

While Collet observes from a distance, Langdon struggles to understand the enigmatic message Saunière has penned beside his own corpse. He finds it odd that the message is in English, not Saunière's native French. Fache uses a black light to expose a concealed circle drawn around Saunière's nude figure, reminiscent of Da Vinci’s renowned Vitruvian Man sketch. Fache sees this as an indication of satanic ritual, noting Da Vinci's troubled ties with the church often reflected in secret codes within his religious artworks. Meanwhile, Collet is discreetly listening to the conversation between Fache and Langdon through a surveillance system in his office. He muses on Fache's commitment to the Catholic faith and his uncanny crime-solving skills. Fache had already hinted at knowing Saunière’s murderer even before Langdon showed up. Besides audio surveillance, Collet also oversees a GPS tracking operation.

chapter 9

Sophie Neveu unexpectedly arrives at the Grand Gallery, claiming she has cracked the code. This upsets Fache, who had turned off his phone and instructed Collet not to allow anyone in. He's especially irked by Neveu's interruption, as he believes that women aren't suited for police work due to their physical frailty and potential for distracting men. Once Sophie gets there, she quickly passes a note to Langdon instructing him to call the U.S. Embassy, who has been trying to reach him. Langdon, however, finds out that the provided phone number doesn't connect to the U.S. Embassy. Instead, it's Sophie's own answering machine, with a pre-recorded warning that he's in danger.

chapter 10

Silas, recalling his troubled past, reaches Saint-Sulpice. His history includes escaping from his home as a young boy after killing his cruel father and leading a violent life that landed him in jail for murder. An earthquake provided him an escape route, and he found refuge in a Spanish church where he met Aringarosa, a missionary who renamed him Silas, following a Biblical passage. From that day, Silas turned into a fervent believer and became the loyal aide to Aringarosa. Meanwhile, Bishop Aringarosa, on a flight, contemplates the significant sum of money Opus Dei paid to the Teacher for information on the keystone's whereabouts. The Teacher had instructed Aringarosa to avoid contact with Silas, likely to maintain confidentiality and to mislead the police.

chapter 11

Listening to Sophie, Langdon learns that the figures by Saunière's corpse, when arranged in ascending order, match the Fibonacci sequence. This means each number is the sum of the preceding two, indicating the code might be a cryptic joke. Despite Sophie's explanation, Fache grows more irate. When Sophie departs, Langdon informs Fache about a friend's accident, as per embassy's information. Citing ill-health, Langdon excuses himself to the bathroom, asking for some solitude. Fache and his assistant, Collet, keep a digital watch over him. Fache instructs Collet to prevent Langdon from exiting the gallery.

chapter 12

Sophie encounters Langdon in the restroom to clarify her earlier message. She informs him of his status as a suspect and reveals a GPS tracker has been concealed on his person. Langdon discovers the device in his pocket, deducing it was likely planted during his hotel stay. Initially, Langdon considers discarding the tracker, but Sophie dissuades him, explaining that a stationary point on the tracker screen would alert the police. She presents an image from her work website, showing the crime scene Fache photographed. The image reveals a sentence Fache erased before Langdon's arrival, "P.S. Find Robert Langdon."

chapter 13

Sophie confides in Langdon about the police having ample proof to charge him for Saunière's murder, but she's certain he's not guilty. She's convinced her grandfather, Saunière, was guiding her towards Langdon with the clues he left behind. The Vitruvian Man, her most cherished Da Vinci sketch, must have been her grandfather's hint to involve her in the case. Additionally, she speculates the "P.S." in "P.S. Find Robert Langdon" was a reference to her nickname, Princesse Sophie. Langdon is puzzled by Sophie's close relationship to Saunière, initially presuming her to be his lover. However, she clarifies that Saunière was her grandfather, with whom she had a disagreement.

chapter 14

Time has passed and Fache along with Collet are confused as to why Langdon hasn't come back from the restroom yet. Collet assures Fache that Langdon remains oblivious to their scheme. The tracking device is still in place, showing minor movements. If Langdon had discovered it, he would've discarded it and attempted escape. Collet feels Fache is taking an unusual interest in this case, possibly because he's faced a recent blow to his reputation and a high-profile arrest would help stabilize his position. The head of the cryptology department calls, wanting to discuss Sophie Neveu with Fache.

chapter 15

Silas advances towards the Saint-Sulpice Church, taking note of the adolescent sex workers in the square. The desire he experiences is swiftly suppressed by the discomfort from the penalty belt encircling his leg. Having pledged chastity for Opus Dei, Silas views it as a trivial sacrifice for redemption, especially in light of the sexual violation he suffered while incarcerated. Ready to procure the keystone, he raps on the door of the sanctuary.

chapter 16

Sophie reflects on the urgent message she received from Saunière, her estranged grandfather, earlier in the day. Their relationship had been strained for more than ten years, after she witnessed him participating in something she deemed abhorrent. Despite his attempts to explain through letters, Sophie did not respond. Saunière's message suggested they were both in danger and promised to reveal the truth about her family's tragic car accident. She disregarded the message as a manipulation tactic to reconnect. She questions Langdon about Saunière's intentions to meet him, to which he has no answer. Sophie attempts to persuade Langdon to exit the museum and seek refuge at the American Embassy to figure out the circumstances behind her grandfather's death. However, Langdon is unwilling to flee. Fache tries to reach Sophie on her cell, but she switches it off. She contemplates whether Langdon could evade capture by leaping from the building.

chapter 17

Fache tells Collet that the cryptography director solved the code, which he and Sophie agree is a string of insignificant Fibonacci numbers. The director discloses that he didn't send Sophie to the museum and reveals Saunière is her grandfather. Collet and Sophie share the belief that Saunière crafted the code to involve his granddaughter in the incident. As Fache and Collet persist in their attempts to contact Sophie, a security alert indicates a breach in the men's bathroom. Viewing the GPS screen, the officers surmise that Langdon has seemingly leapt out of a window.

chapter 18

Collet watches as the GPS signal from the tracker flies out the window and halts. The police misinterpret this as Langdon's suicide, until the dot begins to move away from the structure and down the street. Spotting a large flatbed truck departing from the scene, Fache deduces that Langdon must be on it and rushes out to capture him. Simultaneously, Sophie and Langdon are concealed in the dim recesses of the museum. The story reveals that Sophie had shattered the window with a trash bin and tossed the soap-embedded GPS tracker onto the departing truck. As the police evacuate the premises, Sophie directs Langdon towards a side stairwell. Langdon appreciates Sophie's sharp wit and quick response.

chapter 19

Silas makes his way into Saint-Sulpice. He declines Sister Sandrine's offer to guide him around the church. He insists that he is there to pray and can explore on his own. He advises her to return to her sleep. She obliges, but harbors doubts about him. Concealed in the dimness, she keeps an eye on him as he prays, contemplating whether Silas could be the adversary she was forewarned of.

chapter 20

Langdon, while scrutinizing Saunière’s cryptic message, comprehends its connection to PHI, or 1.618, also known as the Divine Proportion. This begins with the Fibonacci sequence, which pervades nature and art, including the pentacle - a symbol of the sacred feminine. It reminds him of his own lectures on the subject. In a sudden revelation, Langdon identifies the word part of Saunière’s message to be a jumbled phrase. After rearranging the letters, the hidden message reads: "Leonardo Da Vinci! The Mona Lisa!"

chapter 21

Sophie recalls her grandfather's fondness for making anagrams from famous artwork titles. During her childhood, he had taken her for a private viewing of the Mona Lisa, which didn't impress her much then. Now, she considers the possibility of her grandfather leaving a message for her there. She knows he could have visited the painting before his demise. Deciding to revisit the painting, she instructs Langdon to proceed to the embassy alone, handing him her car keys. As he departs, he puzzles over Saunière's instruction to Sophie to seek him, considering she could've solved the puzzle in the message independently. The letters “P.S.” from the code trigger an epiphany for Langdon, who immediately dashes back to Sophie.

chapter 22

Silas locates the Rose Line, a brass strip acting as a pagan sundial, inside the Saint-Sulpice Church. Before Greenwich, England claimed the title, this line was the zero longitude of the world. He believes the Priory keystone is located under the obelisk at the line's northern end. Silas heads towards the obelisk. Meanwhile, Aringarosa reaches Rome.

chapter 23

Sophie inspects the Mona Lisa, hoping her grandfather left invisible ink messages for her. Suddenly, Langdon reappears, panting. He asks Sophie about the significance of P.S., beyond her nickname, Princesse Sophie. She recalls seeing a peculiar key in her grandpa’s closet, marked with P.S. and a fleur-de-lis. Saunière, her grandad, didn't clarify its purpose but promised it to her if she kept it a secret. Langdon divulges that Saunière was part of the Priory of Sion, a secretive group known for pagan goddess worship, with notable members like Leonardo Da Vinci. They guarded a colossal secret. Sophie ponders if this could be linked to the disturbing event she saw her grandpa participating in. Concurrently, Fache and his colleagues locate and seize the truck, finding the soap bar hiding the GPS tracker.

chapter 24

Silas finds himself at the foot of the obelisk, a place hinted by his victims as the keystone's hiding spot. He taps the floor and uncovers a hollow space beneath. He gets ready to shatter the tile. Meanwhile, Sister Sandrine watches him from the balcony, ready to perform her role as a guardian for the Sion Brotherhood. She perceives the unfamiliar figure at the obelisk's foot as a signal from departed Brothers, indicating trouble.

chapter 25

Fache reaches out to the American Embassy, only to learn that Langdon never received any message. He sifts through the digits on his mobile device and manages to identify the number Langdon dialed. Upon discovering it belonged to Sophie Neveu, his frustration grows. He inputs the security code.

chapter 26

Langdon considers the Mona Lisa's fame to be attributed to Da Vinci's own admiration for the piece, even carrying it with him everywhere. His past lecture to prisoners, part of a Harvard initiative, comes to mind. He taught them how the artwork encapsulates a perfect equilibrium of male and female traits. He contemplates that the painting's name, Mona Lisa, is derived from Egyptian fertility deities, Amon and L'isa. There are theories suggesting the painting is Da Vinci in disguise as a woman, further enhancing the painting's androgynous symbolism. Meanwhile, at the museum, Langdon and Sophie stumble upon a trail of blood and a cryptic six-word message scribbled across Mona Lisa's protective glass shield.

chapter 27

Fache informs Collet that it was Sophie who facilitated Langdon's escape. He concludes that the duo are likely still hiding in the Louvre, prompting him to dispatch half of his team to scour the premises. He sends the remaining officers to what he believes to be "the only location in Paris where Robert Langdon could find safe harbor", likely meaning the American Embassy.

chapter 28

Langdon unveils the hidden text on the Mona Lisa: “SO DARK THE CON OF MAN.” He explains to Sophie that it reflects the Catholic Church's efforts to eradicate religions that idolize women and the Priory of Sion's resistance against these actions. Suddenly, a cop shows up in the museum and apprehends Langdon, while Sophie takes shelter unseen behind a bench.

chapter 29

Silas strips his cloak to utilize it in breaking the church tile at Saint-Sulpice. He does so quietly, believing Sister Sandrine to be asleep. However, she observes him from the balcony, shocked by his gruesome injuries. She cannot fathom how Opus Dei can condone such brutal acts. Silas uncovers a stone tablet with a number referring to a verse from the Book of Job, under the broken tile. He eagerly looks it up in the Bible, but realizes something isn't right. The verse states: “HITHERTO SHALT THOU COME, BUT NO FURTHER.” In a panic, Sister Sandrine rushes to her room to retrieve the four emergency numbers she was given.

chapter 30

In this scene, Sophie is studying the Madonna of the Rocks painting, a piece her grandfather often showed her, under the UV light. Despite her efforts, she uncovers nothing. However, she remains sure that the painting holds a clue, especially considering the message left on the Mona Lisa - “SO DARK THE CON OF MAN,” which is an anagram for Madonna of the Rocks. She discovers a key hidden behind the painting, bearing the fleur-de-lis and the initials P.S. In a moment of quick thinking, Sophie uses the painting as leverage, detaching it from the wall and forcing Grouard to disarm and release Langdon and herself.

chapter 31

Sister Sandrine phones the emergency contacts, only to discover the initial three individuals she attempts to reach are recently deceased. As she's recording a message for the fourth, Silas violently intrudes into her quarters. He insists she reveal the location of the keystone. She's unaware. Furious, Silas proceeds to fatally assault her using the candle stand.

chapter 32

Sophie and Langdon make a quick exit from the museum, jumping into Sophie's compact vehicle. Their destination is the embassy. Sophie's mind is filled with curiosity about the key's function, intertwined with memories of a horrifying sight involving her grandfather. A decade earlier, she'd stumbled upon a clandestine gathering at his Normandy chateau. The details of the ritualistic event are unclear, but it was certainly strange and distressing. Lost in her thoughts, Sophie's focus on driving lapses. The wail of sirens snaps her back to reality, and she spots police barricades on the road to the embassy. Sophie swiftly changes direction, but it doesn't go unnoticed. The police are now on their tail.

chapter 33

As Sophie and Langdon keep moving, they attempt to devise a getaway strategy. Langdon studies the key, noticing its handle resembles a perfectly balanced cross. Suddenly, Sophie suggests heading to the railway station. This plan unsettles Langdon, making him regret not turning himself in. Eventually, they reach the station to purchase tickets for the first train leaving Paris.

chapter 34

Bishop Aringarosa travels to the Pope’s summer home, Castel Gandolfo, from Rome's airport. His mind recalls a previous visit five months prior. He had found the Pope's liberal views troubling, and the use of Gandolfo, which has an astronomical observatory, for science, absurd. He firmly believes that religion and science should remain separate. During that previous meeting, a shocking truth was revealed. On this journey, Aringarosa hopes to hear from the Teacher, confirming that Silas has obtained the keystone.

chapter 35

After purchasing a pair of tickets, Sophie and Langdon hop into a taxi. On the flip side of the key, Langdon identifies an address. They promptly direct the taxi driver to this location.

chapter 36

Fache informs Collet of his suspicion that the train tickets purchased by Sophie were likely a diversion. His next move is to involve Interpol in their pursuit.

chapter 37

As their taxi navigates the Bois de Boulogne, notorious for its sexual deviants and sex workers, Sophie questions Langdon about the Priory of Sion. He shares that the brotherhood was formed to protect a secret. Its members became wealthy and renowned after discovering a treasure trove of documents in a destroyed temple. However, their fortune didn't last as a pope orchestrated their demise. The documents have since traveled the world and are currently stashed in a mysterious location. Langdon educates Sophie that these concealed documents and their corroborated secret are often referred to as the Holy Grail.

chapter 38

Langdon reveals to Sophie that the Priory safeguards the Sangreal, also known as the Holy Grail. The Grail isn't merely a cup but rather a collection of documents. The cup is symbolic, Langdon clarifies. He recalls the skepticism of his editor when he shared his contentious but supported, manuscript on the Holy Grail. Notably, Brown keeps the theory a mystery. Despite being detailed by numerous respected historians, the theory never gained acceptance as it lacked biblical or Church endorsement. Suddenly, Sophie senses that their taxi driver is about to betray them. She confronts him with a gun, expels him from his vehicle, and instructs Langdon to drive. Despite his unfamiliarity with manual transmission, they still manage to escape.

chapter 39

Silas finds himself in a state of anxiety at the Opus Dei safe house. He's troubled by his failure to uncover the secret, despite eliminating all the brothers. His concern also extends to Bishop Aringarosa's safety because of his action against Sister Sandrine. Contemplating suicide, Silas feels he's disappointed the only individual who extended a helping hand to him. He reminisces about the Bishop's words, telling him that Noah of the Ark, an albino much like him, was angelic and destined for greatness - a fate Silas was also meant to share.

chapter 40

Sophie is driving, headed towards the location specified on the key. Langdon studies the key, examining the equal-armed cross etched onto it, which is reminiscent of the symbol associated with the Knights Templar, protectors of the Holy Grail. The Grail hasn't been glimpsed since a destructive church fire in 1447 necessitated its relocation by the Priory of Sion. Langdon surmises that its location remains unchanged since the time when Leonardo, a former head of the Priory, was privy to its exact location. Scholars scrutinize Leonardo's art, hoping to uncover clues to the Grail's secret location. Recent findings suggest that a hidden message in Da Vinci's "Adoration of the Magi" was concealed by a later layer of paint, intensifying speculations about a Grail conspiracy. Sophie queries whether the key could open the Grail itself. Langdon, however, doubts that Sophie's grandad held a sufficiently high-ranking position within the Priory of Sion to know such confidential information. Sophie, reflecting on a past incident involving her grandfather, argues that he could have had access to such secrets. Eventually, they arrive at their destination, the Depository Bank of Zurich, a Swiss institution.

chapter 41

Bishop Aringarosa shows up at Castel Gandolfo, the holiday home of the Pope, and conducts a meeting with the Secretariat Vaticana, Vatican City’s law overseer, and two top cardinals. Aringarosa is handed a suitcase full of Vatican bonds that he had asked for. Church superiors feel uneasy about providing such a massive sum, which the Church could be easily linked to. They are unsure about the intended use of the funds by the Pope. Aringarosa puts his signature on what seems to be his resignation letter.

chapter 42

At the Zurich Depository Bank, Sophie and Langdon navigate through intricate security systems using the key. They reach the front desk where a security officer directs them to an elevator leading to their vault. The security officer, recognizing them from the news, alerts Interpol and the bank's president, Vernet. Sophie and Langdon reach the vault but discover they require an account number to open the box. Unbeknownst to them, their presence has been detected and they are trapped in the vault. Fache instructs Collet to go to the bank to capture Sophie and Langdon.

chapter 43

The president of the bank, André Vernet, rushes to the institution upon hearing about the police's pursuit of prominent clients. His responsibility includes maintaining the bank's privacy, and he intends to calm the situation. However, he is shocked to find Sophie, a granddaughter of his friend, in the vault and is stunned to learn about her grandfather's death. Sophie implores Vernet to provide her with the account number, but he declines, stating that only owners know their account details. He offers to help them evade the police, but Sophie and Langdon refuse to leave without accessing the safety deposit box. As Vernet tries to divert the police in the lobby, Sophie and Langdon stay in the vault, attempting to decipher the account number. Langdon concludes that the number must be the sequence of digits Vernet scribbled on the floor before his demise.

chapter 44

Langdon and Sophie are tasked with entering the correct account number into a computer terminal. On scrutinizing the numbers, Sophie concludes that they must correspond to the Fibonacci sequence. They input the sequence and are relieved when it's accepted. The system produces a safety deposit box from its basement storage. Upon opening it, they discover a compact, weighty box made of rosewood. The box is decorated with an inlaid rose, an emblem that the Priory associates with the Holy Grail. Much to their astonishment, Sophie and Langdon hear peculiar bubbling sounds emanating from the box's interior.

chapter 45

Vernet secures Sophie and Langdon in an armored vehicle, swaps his clothes for a driver's outfit, and tucks a firearm under his garments. He is stopped and questioned by Officer Collet while fleeing the bank. Vernet convincingly masquerades as a manual laborer, denying possession of the trunk keys. Noticing Vernet's Rolex, Collet's suspicions are piqued but he eventually allows Vernet to proceed.

chapter 46

Silas is feeling terrible about disappointing Bishop Aringarosa. He gathers the courage to contact the Teacher, who informs him about a message left by Saunière. The Teacher advises him to wait for additional instructions.

chapter 47

Sophie and Langdon uncover a spherical object with alphabets inscribed on its five facets within the container. Sophie identifies the object as a cryptex, a creation of Leonardo Da Vinci for safely conveying information across vast stretches. A secret word is required to access the concealed message within the sphere. The duo then ponder over the significance of the rose situated atop the container.

chapter 48

It dawns on Langdon that what they possess must be the Priory keystone. He suggests only the head of the Priory could get hold of such a thing. Sophie voices her suspicion that her grandfather might have been that leader. Their journey halts as Vernet allows them to exit the vehicle, but to their shock, he remorsefully draws a gun on them.

chapter 49

Vernet demands the box from Langdon and Sophie after learning via radio they are suspects in three additional killings. Langdon, understanding the victims, surrenders the box, but not without subtly jamming a used shotgun shell into the truck door's mechanism. As Vernet attempts to lock them inside, the door's functionality falters. Seizing the opportunity, Langdon springs from the door, reclaims the box, and reenters the truck as Sophie speeds off.

chapter 50

As Bishop Aringarosa departs Gandolfo, it dawns on him that the Teacher’s inability to get in touch could be due to his poor mobile reception in the hilly region. Anxiety sets in as he fears the Teacher might assume their agreement has encountered an issue.

chapter 51

Langdon suggests he and Sophie seek assistance from his acquaintance, Sir Leigh Teabing, situated in Versailles. With Teabing's expertise in religious history and Grail studies, he could provide them with the needed guidance. Langdon recalls a contentious BBC film exploring Teabing’s research into the Grail. Their journey leads them to Teabing’s residence, Château Villette.

chapter 52

Upon arriving at Teabing's property, Sophie and Langdon manage to communicate with Teabing via the intercom system. He poses three queries to them before permitting their entry.

chapter 53

Vernet, the banker, gets in touch with his bank's manager and instructs him to switch on the tracking device fitted in the armored vehicle.

chapter 54

Langdon sneaks the cryptex into Teabing's residence, stashing it beneath a couch in the spacious lounge. Both he and Sophie rest on the couch as Teabing comes in. Langdon reveals that Sophie is unaware of the real tale of the Grail, to which Teabing promises to enlighten her.

chapter 55

Teabing reveals Leonardo Da Vinci's belief that the New Testament was written by humans, not God, and that some gospels were excluded. He informs Sophie that in 325 A.D., Constantine the Great altered the Bible in his quest to consolidate his subjects under one religion. In order to make Jesus a unifying figure, Constantine transformed him from a leader to a divine entity. He also integrated many symbols of the previous sun-worshipping religion into the Bible. Teabing presents Sophie with a picture of Da Vinci's fresco, The Last Supper. Contrary to popular belief, there is no Holy Grail or chalice in the painting, just individual wine glasses. According to Teabing, the Holy Grail is not an object, but a person.

chapter 56

Langdon reveals the Holy Grail's identity as a female. He presents the old symbols representing men and women to Sophie, with the woman's symbol resembling a chalice. It implies the Holy Grail as a metaphor for the divine female, unfortunately lost to Christianity. Both Langdon and Teabing make it clear to Sophie that the Holy Grail symbolizes a specific woman, not merely any woman. Sophisticated images of Sophie and Langdon appear on the TV, catching the manservant, Rémy's attention.

chapter 57

Collet is informed about where to find Langdon and Sophie. He promptly drives towards Versailles. At the same time, Silas manages to infiltrate the estate’s boundaries, unwavering in his goal to secure the keystone.

chapter 58

In Teabing's library, Sophie is shown a depiction of Mary Magdalene in The Last Supper, where she is seated next to Jesus. The artwork also features several chalices and instances of the letter 'M'. Teabing explains that Jesus held Mary in high regard and they were married. He further suggests that Jesus entrusted Mary with continuing his work. It's also mentioned that Peter the apostle bore resentment towards Mary out of jealousy. Mary is said to have descended from the powerful lineage of Benjamin. The scholars also inform Sophie that Jesus and Mary may have had a child or children.

chapter 59

Bishop Aringarosa contacts Opus Dei's New York office to check for any new messages. He discovers a leftover number and dials it, connecting him with the French Judicial Police. A voice on the other end announces there's plenty to discuss with the Bishop.

chapter 60

Teabing and Langdon present Sophie with numerous books supporting their assertions about Mary's lineage. Teabing contends that the Holy Grail is in fact Mary's sarcophagus and these documents confirm that all of Mary's descendants are kin to Jesus. He adds that the French royal line, the Merovingians, are also Christ's descendants, along with the founder of the Priory of Sion. Sophie begins to wonder if her own family is somehow connected with this revelation. Suddenly, Teabing is summoned into the kitchen by his servant.

chapter 61

Langdon explains to Sophie that her family lineage, including Saunière and her mother (née Chauvel), is not connected to the Merovingian, therefore she can't be a descendant of Mary. He educates her about contemporary myths and art pieces, citing examples such as The Magic Flute by Mozart and numerous Walt Disney movies, all referring to the tale of the lost sacred feminine. Suddenly, Teabing reenters the study, urgently inquiring about the situation.

chapter 62

Teabing is on the verge of expelling Sophie and Langdon, but Sophie's revelation that they possess the keystone convinces him to let them remain. Silas, lurking outside, overhears 'keystone' and gears up to intrude, intending to coax its location out of them. Langdon discloses to Teabing about the Priory members' demise. They speculate that the Church, having identified the Priory members, annihilated them. It's also hypothesized that the Church acted anticipating the Priory's intent to publicize the documents. According to Teabing, the Church might have feared the Priory would align the document release with the transition from the era of Pisces to the Aquarius age, a period of independent thought. Langdon discloses the keystone's location to Teabing. Silas, gun in hand, steps into the house.

chapter 63

Collet stands near the estate, receiving instructions from Fache to refrain from apprehending the accused without him. Collet speculates that Fache might be uncertain of Langdon's culpability or seeks to claim the glory of the capture. Along with his officers, Collet locates the armored vehicle outside the dwelling, with Silas's leased Audi stationed close.

chapter 64

Teabing, Sophie, and Langdon examine the cryptex. While searching for potential password hints on the box, Langdon discovers a tiny hole. Using a paperclip, he prods the hole and a rose dislodges from the wood, revealing a series of text lines. While he's engrossed in reading the text, Silas strikes him on the head.

chapter 65

Silas holds Teabing and Sophie under the threat of his gun, demanding the cryptex from Teabing. In response, Teabing acquiesces, but swiftly attacks Silas with his crutch, aiming for the punishment belt around Silas's leg. Silas collapses and is swiftly restrained and muzzled.

chapter 66

Langdon, Teabing, and Sophie successfully deceive Collet and his police force, leading them upstairs. Upon investigating the barn, Collet discovers that nearly all the sports cars are present, save for one.

chapter 67

Rémy steers a Range Rover across the countryside and through the woods near the mansion, with Silas held at gunpoint by Teabing in the back. After making a phone call to get his aircraft ready, Teabing plans to escape to England, far from the French law enforcement’s reach. Despite their efforts, Silas remains silent on why Opus Dei seeks the keystone. In response, Langdon requests to borrow Sophie’s cell phone, suggesting he has a plan.

chapter 68

Langdon reaches out to his editor, Jonas Faukman, who confesses to sending Saunière Langdon's latest manuscript in hopes of getting an endorsement for the book cover. Upon inquiry from Teabing, Langdon confirms that his work neither criticizes nor praises the Priory. Teabing, however, believes the Priory should have disclosed the location of the documents. At the airfield, the pilot is reluctant to ferry Sophie and Langdon, but Teabing uses both intimidation and bribery to convince him.

chapter 69

Inside the aircraft, Teabing questions Sophie about her comprehension of the significance of her role. She'd be in a position to disclose the monumental secret to everyone if she manages to locate the Holy Grail, Teabing points out. He is curious about what she intends to do with such influence. Sophie's response is simple: once she obtains the Grail, her next steps will become clear.

chapter 70

Fache is livid with Collet at Château Villette. André Vernet unexpectedly contacts the authorities, revealing that Sophie and Langdon did visit the bank previously that evening, contradicting his earlier statement. He discloses that they retrieved something from Saunière's account. Concurrently, another operative has scrutinized Teabing's speed dial contacts and communicated with the airfield, unearthing that Teabing had a conversation with them that same night.

chapter 71

Langdon and Teabing struggle to make sense of the text inscribed on the back of the rose while on the airplane. Sophie intervenes, pointing out that the words are simply reversed, as was Da Vinci's writing style in his journals. It can be read clearly using a mirror.

chapter 72

Langdon, Sophie, and Teabing take note of the four-line verse etched into the box. The verse alludes to Mary Magdalene’s lineage, the Knights Templar, and the Grail. The Brotherhood, believing English to be the only language untouched by the church, composed it in this language and in iambic pentameter. The verse directs them to locate a tombstone "praised by Templars" and to apply the Atbash Cipher, another code, to unravel the password. The trio find the task of finding and deciphering all this quite intimidating.

chapter 73

Fache, while at the airstrip, is unable to identify who accompanies Teabing on his flight. However, he successfully pinpoints the aircraft's landing destination. He instructs his officers to liaise with the local police in Kent, bypassing the British intelligence, to encircle the plane upon arrival.

chapter 74

Langdon hypothesizes that Sophie must have seen her grandfather in a sexual ceremony. Sophie validates this. He educates her about the ancient ritual known as Hieros Gamos. He explains that before the Church imposed societal norms, sex was deemed a holy connection between man and woman. Sophie then relates to him her memory of observing men and women in her grandfather's basement, where her grandfather was engaged in a sexual act with a woman.

chapter 75

During his private flight to Paris, Aringarosa has a conversation with Fache and is shocked to discover how rapidly their scheme is falling apart. He proposes to the pilot to change their destination to London, offering the entirety of the Vatican bonds as payment. The pilot, however, requests his ring. Giving it over, Aringarosa is left with a feeling of nausea.

chapter 76

Langdon figures out the meaning of "headstone praised by Templars" in the poem. The Knights Templar were suspected of worshipping the devil under Pope Clement's reign. Their alleged deity was often depicted as a massive stone head, known as Baphomet's head. Langdon and Teabing concur that this could be the cryptex's password.

chapter 77

Langdon, along with Sophie and Teabing, apply the Atbash Cipher to decipher the term Baphomet. They discover it translates to Sofia, a Greek term denoting wisdom and a derivative of Sophie’s own name.

chapter 78

Sophie uncovers a second cryptex nestled within the first, accompanied by a poem inscribed on a vellum strip. The verse mentions a knight laid to rest in London. Teabing confidently asserts he's aware of their next destination.

chapter 79

Collet, remaining at the mansion, oversees the unit searching for clues. An investigator uncovers a cathedral postcard bearing Teabing's theories on its vaginal architectural resemblance. The investigator also stumbles upon Teabing’s conjectures on the past leaders of the Priory.

chapter 80

Teabing unveils to Sophie and Langdon his intention to pay off authorities to gain entry into England sans passports. Langdon views this with doubt, though Teabing persuades him that his quirky knight persona could make this possible. The pilot then informs them of a change in landing location and insists everyone remains onboard - a request that raises Teabing's suspicion. Consequently, Teabing heads to the cockpit, intending to sway the pilot with money.

chapter 81

Biggin Hill Airport's lead, Simon Edwards, observes as Teabing's aircraft rolls towards the runway. Surprisingly, it veers off towards Teabing's personal storage unit, a deviation from the intended course. Before law enforcement reaches the storage unit, Langdon and Sophie manage to get off the aircraft and pull Silas into the limousine. Upon their arrival, the police scour the airplane only to find it abandoned.

chapter 82

Teabing clarifies that the knight buried by a Pope belonged to the Knight Templar or Priory knights, and his resting place is at London's Temple Church. Locating that tomb may lead them to a hint regarding the “missing orb”, presumably buried alongside the knight. As Teabing and Rémy converse about the route, Sophie and Langdon debate if the world should know the truth about the Magdalene. Langdon suggests that it might be more beneficial to maintain the faith-inspiring myths. Sophie, however, remains uncertain on the matter.

chapter 83

Deceivingly, Teabing gains entry into the Temple Church. He educates Sophie and Langdon about the Knights Templar's rudimentary banking system, which involved safeguarding gold in their churches and permitting individuals possessing the correct paperwork to retrieve the gold during their travels. Accompanied by Sophie and Langdon, Teabing ventures into the grave where ten knights rest.

chapter 84

Rémy relishes in his impending wealth as he sips vodka outside the Temple Church. He frees Silas, revealing that they both work under the Teacher. He hands Silas a gun, explaining they have a mission to complete. Meanwhile, Fache is seething with anger at the airfield, frustrated at his officers' inability to apprehend Teabing.

chapter 85

Teabing, Sophie, and Langdon unsuccessfully search for the lost orb mentioned in the verse. They explore ten tombs, nine of which are adorned with knight statues, while one remains empty. Interrupted by the returning altar boy, they are questioned by him. A mysterious noise leads the boy away, where he encounters Rémy and Silas. Threatened by the pair, the frightened boy soils himself before being permitted to flee.

chapter 86

Silas, aiming his gun at Langdon, demands the cryptex. Langdon counters, threatening to destroy the valuable papyrus within the cryptex if Silas doesn't release Sophie and Teabing. Silas is in a fix as he's been directed by the Teacher, through Rémy, not to harm anyone. Rémy, despite being told to stay unseen, seizes Teabing, forcing Langdon to hand the cryptex to Silas. After Rémy departs with Teabing, Silas continues to hold Langdon and Sophie captive at gunpoint.

chapter 87

Within the grand estate, an operative arrives from the barn, urging Collet to witness something unusual. Hidden in the barn's loft, a sophisticated monitoring system is discovered. Questioning the target of this surveillance, Collet is informed by the operative that the revelation would be unexpected.

chapter 88

Sophie and Langdon make their way into the subway. Sophie suggests to Langdon that they should contact law enforcement to report Rémy and Silas, effectively making them wanted men. This, she believes, would be the best way to help Teabing. Langdon, however, plans to visit a library to search an electronic database for a phrase from the poem. Sophie's call to the police connects her with Fache, who informs her that he's aware of Langdon's innocence. He urges her to report to the London police station for her own protection.

chapter 89

Fache is present in Teabing’s aircraft, holding the discovered box from the vault. He observes the cryptex to be vacant. Upon receiving a phone call from a frantic Vernet, he learns of his urgent need to retrieve the box to restore his bank's image.

chapter 90

Upon investigation, Collet stumbles upon a computer at the chateau which has been used to monitor five individuals, one of whom is Jacques Saunière. The others are influential figures including the leader of French Intelligence. The detectives also uncover plans revealing that the tracking device was concealed within a duplicate of a knight on Saunière’s workspace.

chapter 91

Silas and Rémy have stashed Teabing in the limousine's rear seat. The Teacher contacts Silas, indicating that Rémy will deliver the keystone to him for “handling.” The Teacher provides Rémy with the location to leave Silas and the rendezvous point. Rémy is under the impression that Silas will be disposed of. He privately chuckles at how the Teacher has exploited the Bishop and Silas as mere chess pieces.

chapter 92

At Kings College, the religious research database's location, Sophie and Langdon interact with Pamela Gettum. Pamela agrees to support them in using the database. They show her the initial two lines of their poem, requesting a search for a knight laid to rest by a pope in London. The search generates an excess of data, forcing them to reveal the poem's next two lines. Pamela identifies their quest's connection to the Grail and chuckles at the sheer number of Grail seekers that frequent her library. She instigates a fresh search, letting them know it would need fifteen minutes.

chapter 93

Silas enters the Opus Dei residence in London, greeted by a numerary who ushers him into a room. The numerary then receives a phone call from the local authorities, inquiring if an albino monk is present within the residence. Upon confirmation, the police instruct the numerary to keep this information from the monk, assuring him they will arrive shortly.

chapter 94

Rémy encounters the Teacher at St. James Park, accepting cognac from him laced with peanut dust, triggering his lethal allergy. As Rémy succumbs to death, the Teacher ponders the ease with which he deciphered Saunière's tomb clue, having bugged his office and learned of his regard for a specific knight. At the same time, Bishop Aringarosa exits the airport, greeted by a British deputy. The deputy, following Fache's orders, is to escort the Bishop to Scotland Yard. However, in transit, Aringarosa overhears Opus Dei’s location on the police scanner and promptly instructs the officer to redirect their course there.

chapter 95

Sophie and Langdon, while at King’s College, sift through numerous search outcomes before stumbling upon a book about Sir Isaac Newton. The realization hits Langdon that Newton could likely be the knight they have been searching for. After all, Newton ticks all the boxes - he was knighted, laid to rest in London, and his grave was attended by the renowned author, Alexander Pope.

chapter 96

Silas finds himself stirring with an unsettling feeling. He spots a police vehicle parked nearby, leading him to understand that he has become the target of a manhunt. As he makes his hasty exit, he unintentionally fires a shot at Bishop Aringarosa.

chapter 97

At the Westminster Abbey, Langdon and Sophie are on a quest for Newton's tomb. Simultaneously, the Teacher is stationed outside the same tomb holding the cryptex, puzzled by the riddle's reference to an 'orb'. Observing Sophie and Langdon in their search, the Teacher surmises that Langdon may hold the key to unlocking the final mystery. This prompts him to devise a scheme to coerce Langdon into cooperation.

chapter 98

Sophie and Langdon rush to Newton's tomb where they find countless orbs and a message from the Teacher on the ground. He claims to have Teabing and demands a meeting in the garden. In their rush, Sophie and Langdon overlook the renovation sign. They find themselves trapped on the path to the garden, with no escape route, as a door shuts behind them. At this point, they confront Teabing, who is threatening them with a revolver.

chapter 99

Teabing confesses his betrayals. He reveals that Saunière kept the Grail's location secret due to threats from the Church, who had already killed Sophie’s family and vowed to murder her should any information be leaked. Teabing admits to masterminding Saunière’s murder and that of the other three Brotherhood members. He kept Sophie and Langdon engaged in the hunt until their meeting at Temple Church, with plans to snatch the cryptex. He now urges them to assist in tracking down the Grail. Sophie, however, adamantly refuses due to Teabing being her grandfather’s killer. Teabing then inquires about Langdon’s intentions.

chapter 100

Aringarosa, lying injured outside of the Opus Dei’s house, recalls a gathering from five months prior at Castel Gandolfo with the Pope’s aide. The officials in attendance informed him of the Pope's decision to disassociate the Church from Opus Dei due to the sect's aggressive recruiting strategies, mistreatment of women, and self-punishment practices. To spare Aringarosa and his order any shame, they were given half a year to independently facilitate this disconnection. Soon after, Aringarosa was contacted by the Teacher, who claimed to have clues leading to a significant relic, promising to elevate Aringarosa's standing within the Church. In his panic, Silas rushes Aringarosa to the hospital where the doctor fears the bishop might be on the brink of death.

chapter 101

Next to Newton's grave, Langdon pretends to contemplate the password while buying time. He figures out that 'apple' is the password, relating to Isaac Newton and Eve's original sin. As he removes the map from the cryptex, he informs Teabing of his success. Langdon displays a hint of uncertainty, leading Teabing to believe he's bluffing. He tosses the reassembled cryptex towards the ceiling, which Teabing fails to catch, resulting in the glass inside shattering. Langdon discloses that he possesses the map. By then, Teabing is defenseless and on the ground. Fache enters the room and arrests Teabing, who pleads with Langdon to reveal the map's contents as he's taken away.

chapter 102

Silas, injured from a gunshot to his chest, finds himself in Kensington Gardens. He sends up prayers for Bishop Aringarosa, pleading for mercy and absolution. As his life fades, he experiences a sense of his Lord's kindness and compassion.

chapter 103

Fache departs from his questioning of Teabing to meet with Aringarosa. Consumed by sadness due to Silas's demise and the revelation that he murdered four monks and a nun in Paris, Aringarosa makes a request. He asks Fache to divvy up the funds he had set aside for the Teacher to the families of the five individuals who fell victim to Silas's actions.

chapter 104

Sophie and Langdon reach Rosslyn Chapel, Scotland, guided by the cryptex's hidden message. The chapel, built by the Knights Templar, is believed to house the Grail, though unconfirmed. Inside, Sophie recognizes one of the arches, a memory from her childhood. She recalls falling asleep under this arch and awakening to her grandfather bidding farewell to a stranger at an adjacent house. She's drawn towards that same house. Langdon is questioned by a docent about the origin of his box, revealing his grandfather made a similar one for his grandmother. The docent shares his loss, having lost his grandfather, parents, and sister in a car crash. Inside the house, Sophie reunites with her grandmother, a heartfelt embrace shared between them. The moment is made more poignant when the docent, revealed to be Sophie’s brother, joins the emotional reunion.

chapter 105

Marie Chauvel shares with Langdon the tale of their family division. Sophie's parents belonged to the lineage of Jesus and Mary, but they altered their identities due to safety reasons. The story was they died in a car crash, but the grandparents doubted this. They staged the deaths of the grandmother and Sophie's brother, both of whom escaped to Scotland. Langdon questions Marie about the Grail's true location at Rosslyn, and she recites the verse to him once more. She confesses her uncertainty about its location and implies that the secret may not be destined for uncovering. Marie believes that Langdon will eventually comprehend the verse, and when he does, he must guard the secret. Meanwhile, the Priory plans to initiate new members into the brotherhood to continue safeguarding the mystery. Afterwards, she reenters the house, allowing Sophie to join Langdon. They take a stroll in the fields, share a kiss, and plan to reunite in Florence after a month.

epilogue

Returning to Paris, Langdon deciphers Saunière's poem. He rushes to the Louvre, noting the colossal inverted pyramid over a tinier one embedded in the museum's floor. He interprets these as the Chalice and the Blade, ancient female and male symbols referred to in the poem. In his writings, he had compared the smaller pyramid to an underground vault's tip. Langdon realizes this was not merely a comparison, but actual fact, explaining Saunière's insistence that Sophie locate him. Overwhelmed, he kneels before the smaller pyramid.

Enjoying this summary?
Buy the book! (it's better)

People who recommended The Da Vinci Code

Ev Williams

On the "books read" section of Ev Williams' GoodReads profile.

Shah Rukh Khan

"I like what [this author] writes, it also helps me understand certain aspects of the religion that he writes about, so that’s good." - Shah Rukh Khan

Lists that recommended The Da Vinci Code

Best Dan Brown Books

Best Murder Mystery Books

Best Suspense Books