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Origin and history

La Croix de la Tuilière () is a cross of a road located in Agris, Charente, New Aquitaine. This stone monument, with a total height of 6.35 meters, consists of an altar-shaped pedestal, a cylindrical column of 3.50 meters high, and a Latin cross carved at the top. Its architectural style and its dimensions make it a remarkable example of the regional hosannières crosses, typical of rural roads in south-western France.

The first written mention of the cross dates back to 1642, although some sources evoke an older, perhaps medieval origin (XIIth or 13th century), followed by destruction during the Wars of Religion and restoration in 1732. However, these assumptions remain unconfirmed by material evidence. The monument, which was dangerously leaning towards the road at the beginning of the twentieth century, was discussed by the city council in 1929 for comfort work, postponed due to their cost.

The cross was included in the inventory of historical monuments on December 19, 1986, thanks to the involvement of the municipality and the Touring club of France. Today, it still stands at the crossroads of the vicinal paths linking the hamlet of the Granges to the village of Agris and the Chevilloux, bearing witness to the local religious and road heritage. Its maintenance and preservation reflect the attachment of the inhabitants to this historical and cultural landmark.

Local studies, such as those conducted by Léon Bertrand in 1934 or the bulletins of the Charente Archaeological Society (1918), underline its heritage importance. These documents describe its detailed structure and role in the landscape, while noting uncertainties about its exact dating. The cross remains a symbol of Charente traditions, linked to both the devotion and the organization of rural territories.

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