Construction of the cross XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
Estimated realization period
13 février 1928
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 13 février 1928 (≈ 1928)
Registration by official order
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Cross of 16s: inscription by decree of 13 February 1928
Origin and history
The 16th century cross on the facade of the Lavoir de Breuvannes-en-Bassigny is an emblematic monument of this commune of the Grand Est. Classified as a Historical Monument, it bears witness to the civil religious architecture of the Renaissance in Champagne-Ardenne. Its listing in the inventory of Historic Monuments by order of 13 February 1928 underlines its heritage importance, although its exact location remains approximate according to available sources.
In the Renaissance, washhouses and their decorative elements, like this cross, played a central role in the daily life of villages. They served as a gathering place for the inhabitants, often linked to religious or community practices. In the rural context of the Upper Marne, these monuments also reflected the influence of the Church and local lords on the social and spatial organization of the villages. Their preservation today offers an overview of the traditions and crafts of the time.
The available data indicate that this cross is owned by the municipality of Breuvannes-en-Bassigny, but the practical information regarding its access or visit remains limited. Its state of conservation and its integration into the washroom raise questions about the past and present uses of this heritage, between collective memory and utility function. The accuracy of its location, noted as insufficient, could complicate its study or tourist valuation.