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Origin and history

Cross's balance well is a historic monument located in the village of Croix, in the territory of Belfort, Burgundy-Franche-Comté. Built between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, it is one of two public pendulum wells in the centre of the village. These wells, dated 1772 according to some sources, were once widespread in the region for water supply.

These works consist of a square stone margin, extended by a water bowl, and a wooden balance system. This mechanism, consisting of a vertical pole and a horizontal part, allowed the buckets to be raised out of the well. Although three 19th-century wells were mentioned, only two remain today, one of which was restored in 1982. They were registered in the Historical Monuments by order of 5 July 2006.

The village of Croix, perched at an altitude of nearly 600 metres in the Jura Massif, is marked by a rural history and an ancient agricultural occupation. The pendulum wells, located in the central square, demonstrate the importance of water in the daily life of the inhabitants, particularly for agricultural activities and the drinking of livestock. Their conservation illustrates a technical and communal heritage characteristic of Franche-Comté.

The municipality of Croix, bordering Switzerland, is also known for its church rebuilt in the 19th century and its mountain climate. The wells, owned by the municipality, remain emblematic elements of its heritage, reflecting local hydraulic traditions and the adaptation of the inhabitants to their Jurassian environment.

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