Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The stone table and the cross base of Saint-Germain-le-Rocheux date from the 14th century. This monument, typical of the Châtillonnais, is an example of a medieval cross associated with a table of the dead, a rare element often linked to local funeral or commemorative practices. It is part of a landscape marked by abbeys and castles, where the stone crosses served as spiritual landmarks or pillars for pilgrimages.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 1944, this vestige illustrates the importance of monumental crosses in Burgundy parish spaces. At the time, these structures played a central role in community life, marking places of worship, cemeteries or procession paths. Their presence also reflected the influence of the Church and local lords in the organisation of rural territory.

The Châtillonnais, a land of religious heritage, has several comparable crosses, such as those of Charrey-sur-Seine or Semond, also dated from the Middle Ages. These monuments, often modest but symbolically strong, bear witness to devout practices and popular piety between the 14th and 16th centuries. Their protection in the twentieth century underlines their historical value and their fragility in the face of time.

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