Croix et calvaires

You'll come across a number of monumental crosses along the way, at street crossroads. These are carved in stone and depict the crucifixion of Christ. These crosses and calvaries were erected in the Middle Ages by the Church to protect travellers or people being pursued by an enemy. Anyone who took refuge near a cross was just as well protected as if they were in a church. This Catholic religious symbol was also widespread from the 16th century onwards. It may have been intended as a place of pilgrimage or simply as a building erected by wealthy families wishing to affirm their faith and protect their own.