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Origin and history

The cross of Bellevaux is a cross of paths erected in the village of Bellevaux in Haute-Savoie. Dated from 1590 by an engraved inscription, it is located to the south of the church and marked until the twentieth century the entrance of the parish cemetery. Its location and function symbolize its role in local religious life, serving as a benchmark for processions and prayers.

The cross bears two major inscriptions: the first, "in 1590 by the noble elders of Jes Lt Fc Bn of this place and rebuilt by him on 29 June 1837", evokes its initial construction and restoration in the 19th century by Jules Laurent Féréric Baron. The second, linked to the mission of 1837, mentions a indulgence granted by Bishop Pierre-Joseph Rey, Bishop of Annecy, to those who would recite prayers before her. These elements underline its spiritual importance and its anchor in local history.

Ranked a historic monument in 1932, the cross of Bellevaux bears witness to Savoyard religious architecture and devotional practices of the modern era. Its official protection recognizes its heritage value, both for its seniority and its role in the collective memory of the village. The reference to its rebuilding in 1837 also suggests a desire to preserve or commemorate the community or its descendants.

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