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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

La Croix de Villeranque, located in Avensan en Gironde, is a historic monument dating from the 16th century. It is distinguished by its barrel decorated with a flamboyant style base, typical of the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. A shield carved on the cross presents heraldic symbols: a key, a crescent and three stars, whose exact meaning remains linked to local history or an unidentified sponsor in available sources.

Classified as a Historical Monument by order of 7 January 1926, this cross is subject to specific protection for its heritage interest. Today it is owned by a private company, which limits its access to the public. The precise location, although documented (3 Route du Poteau, Avensan), is assessed as poor in terms of cartographic accuracy, with a score of 5/10 in the Mérimée base.

The monumental crosses like Villeranque's often played a religious or commemorative role in the 16th century French countryside. They marked assembly places, crossroads, or served as landmarks for pilgrims. In New Aquitaine, a region marked by a high density of religious monuments, these crosses also reflect the artistic influences of the period, mixing late Gothic and first touches renaissant.

No information is available on any historical characters related to its construction or use. Sources are limited to architectural descriptions and its current legal status. The Creative Commons license associated with the photos suggests a desire for cultural diffusion, despite its private status.

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