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Origin and history

The Cross of Demeau is a monumental cross located at the crossroads of the Ballue, east of Poilley, in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany. Dating from the Middle Ages, it is representative of the Romanesque crosses that often marked crossroads or gathering places in the Breton countryside. Its architectural style and location suggest a religious and symbolic function, serving as a landmark for travellers or pilgrims.

The cross has been recognized for its heritage importance and has been listed as a historical monument since 15 December 1926. This official protection underscores its historical and artistic value, although the available archives do not specify the exact circumstances of its construction or its possible sponsors. Today, it remains a material testimony of medieval religious art in Brittany, integrated with the local landscape.

From an administrative point of view, the cross of Demeau is owned by the department of Ille-et-Vilaine. Its exact address, according to Merimée data, is the crossroads of the Ballue in Poilley, although a GPS approximation is located near Villamée. This minor geographical disparity reflects the challenges of precise location for some ancient monuments, often displaced or whose environment has evolved over the centuries.

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