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Longer la salle des fêtes jusqu’au panneau « Cinéma »

Prochain point : lat="49.123193" lon="1.690571"

The crosses
History and meaning

The Mission cross…

This cross, known as the mission cross, is an integral part of the local landscape. Following the upheavals of the revolution, the Church sent missionary priests out into parishes to renew religious practice. The era of the Mission was a time for all to examine their consciences and return afresh to Christian life. Each mission was completed by   erecting a cross. This cross was installed during a mission in 1894 and restored on several occasions: in 1932, 1951 and 1996. Each mission cross bore the symbols of the Passion of Christ, including the inscription “INRI” - initials of the latin words Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum, “Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews”.

…the cross pattée, a Vexin emblem

The term “pattée” applies to crosses with short arms of equal length growing wider at the tips. Crosses pattée come in various forms. Most often located at cross-roads or alongside roads, these crosses were used as land marks, indicating the limits of properties or jurisdictions. The Chaussy cross pattée is named the Croix Gatin. Located on an embankment facing the ancient entry to the Villarceaux estate, this cross is marked on the 1745 land terrier. It is similar to the Labathe cross, erected in Courcelles-sur-Viosne, and engraved with several inscriptions (including the year 1771). The cross pattée is part of the rich vernacular heritage of the Vexin français, but is not unique to the region, being also found in other parts of France and Europe. Although many of these kinds of crosses were destroyed during the revolution, 18 remain within the Vexin français regional natural park. Most have been moved from their original placement, often near churches.
There is also a very fine stone cross from the 19th century in the Chaussy cemetery.