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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Tréport Cross, also known as the Musoir Cross, is an emblematic monument to the city of Tréport in Normandy. Dated from the 16th and 17th centuries, this 3.63-metre-high sandstone cross is distinguished by its octagonal barrel decorated with stars, lily flowers and the letter L (for Louis XIII). It was originally erected at the bottom of the "grande rue" at the Musoir, before being moved several times for practical reasons, notably in 1843 by order of Louis-Philippe.

The cross played an ex-voto role during the plague epidemic of 1618, marking its importance in local history. After being overthrown in 1840 for reasons of circulation, it rose three years later, then restored in the early twentieth century. Ranked a historic monument on September 10, 1913, it was renovated in 2009. Despite these efforts, it was found fractured and down on 15 August 2024, highlighting its vulnerability.

Iconographically, the cross presents two distinct faces: one representing Christ, the Virgin and Saint John, the other a Virgin with Child accompanied by St James and St Lawrence. These sculptures reflect its dual religious and commemorative character. Its current location, Place Charles-de-Gaulle, makes it a historical and cultural landmark for the city.

The cross is owned by the commune of Tréport and has been referenced in several sources, including Le Patrimoine des Communes de Seine-Maritime (1997). Its turbulent history, marked by displacement and restoration, bears witness to its continuing importance in the urban landscape and collective memory.

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