La publications des Actes du Colloque sont disponibles Une cinquantaine de croix de granite sont fichées le long de la rive gauche de la Creuse. On les dit « mystérieuses » et « énigmatiques ». Depuis combien de temps sont-elles là ? Et POURQUOI ? Elles intriguent par leur forme et aussi par la cupule creusée au-dessus de leur tête taillée en V. Plusieurs institutions et associations ont proposé une coopération à l’Université de Limoges pour organiser un colloque à leur sujet. Des historiens...
The mysterious Crozant-type crosses
The mysterious Crozant-type crosses
These 51 crosses found in the villages around Crozant are an enigma for historians.
They are difficult to date.
Their purpose is not obvious.
They all follow the same model, which seem to be of Byzantine inspiration, at the beginning of Christianisation.
They are « Greek crosses » with four equal parts (the lower part was buried). The upper and lower parts are "pattée" whilst the horizontal branches are straight.
This form is found in some crosses in other areas of France (Vexin, Haut-Maine, Brittany) and also in England and Bulgaria.
At the top of the crosses there is often a « cupule », a small depression carved in the stone. What was its role? This is still a mystery...
There are 51 of these mysterious Crozant type crosses for you to discover and to understand !
ASCTC, the Association for the Safeguarding of the Crozant Type Crosses, does everything possible to understand and preserve this heritage of the Creuse.
Discover the actions of the members of the association in the safeguarding of the Crozant crosses,
Discover in detail each of the Crozant crosses,
Partez à la découverte des croix de type Crozant à l’occasion de balades et randonnées préparées pour vous,
To understand the history and the origin of the Crozant crosses, follow the progress of the research and the preparation of the conference.
The latest news
Journées Nationales du Patrimoine de Pays et des Moulins 2024
L’association pour la sauvegarde des croix type Crozant est sur le podium du concours de photographie organisé par la Fédération Patrimoine Environnement - coordination nationale des JPPM 2024 sur le thème de l’Eau utile à tous ! Mille mercis à FRED pour cette prise...
Le Pays dunois en l’an 507, haut lieu de l’histoire mondiale de l’action humanitaire
C’est une histoire que nous sortons des oubliettes. Elle fut racontée en latin pour la première fois au VI° siècle ! Saviez-vous qu’en l’an 507, au Pays Dunois, nommé IDUNUM et RIDUNUM, s’est déroulée la toute première ACTION HUMANITAIRE de l’histoire mondiale de...
Mystérieuses croix de Crozant
Autour de Crozant, dispersées entre Indre et Creuse, une cinquantaine de croix aux formes très particulières ont été redécouvertes. Elles suscitent, depuis, bien des interrogations et des inquiétudes quant à leur sauvegarde. Un colloque se tiendra début septembre à...
The crosses of Crozant in the spotlight in the magazine Pays du Limousin
In issue 110 of the magazine “Pays du Limousin” you will find a feature article on the crosses of Crozant. You can buy this magazine online. Go to the Pays du Limousin website
Indre-Creuse - the mystery of the crosses of Crozant
Fifty-two crosses with very particular shapes are to be found on the border of the Indre and Creuse departments. This is a unique concentration in the world, whose origin is still unknown in 2021. If stones could talk, ...
Crosses seen in Bulgaria and Romania related in shape to our 'Crozant type' crosses but all linked to graves
We owe the discovery of these crosses to Pierre Barbaud and his wife Mado. They made a trip to Bulgaria about ten years ago, which led them to visit the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi. In front of the building they were surprised...
A study day on crosses was recently organised with the best stone mason in France
The association to safeguard the crosses has launched a study day on the crosses of Crozant with the ambition of seeing them become part of our protected heritage. The Crozant type crosses have been the subject of assiduous monitoring for many
A collective collects information on Crozant-type crosses
This Friday 16 March, the association for the preservation of the Crozant type crosses is organising a meeting to better share the interest in the preservation and recognition of this heritage. After the 2015 and 2016 exhibitions on the subject and the historical research
Crozant crosses (Creuse) : their history remains an enigma
Will the crosses of Crozant one day reveal their secrets? Noëlle Bertrand, historian, former history teacher at the Pierre-Bourdan high school in Guéret and member of the science society, explains. These crosses can be found within a radius of...
The history of the crosses of Crozant remains an enigma despite extensive research by several enthusiasts
Will the crosses of Crozant one day reveal their secrets? This is the question that Noëlle Bertrand, historian, former history teacher at the Pierre-Bourdan high school in Guéret and member of the science society, asks. Crozant is not only known for its fortress, but also for its...