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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The mission cross of Agen is a cross of the Passion, located Place du Maréchal-Foch, close to the southern gate of the Cathedral of Saint Caprais. It was erected in the department of Lot-et-Garonne, New Aquitaine, and is distinguished by its representations of the instruments of the Passion, reminding the faithful of the stages of the Passion of Christ. Its architectural style and symbolism make it an emblematic religious monument of the city.

The cross was raised on 31 January 1816 and solemnly blessed two days later, on 2 February 1816, by Monsignor Jean Jacoupy, then bishop concordataire of Agen. This historical context places its creation in a post-revolutionary period marked by the restoration of Catholic worship in France. Its classification as historical monuments, effective since 7 December 1970, underscores its heritage importance and preservation for future generations.

Architecturally, the mission cross is characterized by its memorial and pedagogical function. The instruments of the Passion (such as nails, crown of thorns or hammer) are represented here to evoke the sufferings of Christ, serving as a support for devotion and meditation of the faithful. Its strategic location, in front of the cathedral, reinforces its central role in the religious and urban landscape of Agen.

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