Calvaire de la Croix-du-Bois

Standing before the Calvaire de la Croix-du-Bois, you might feel a sense of history and reverence. This cross, located on the outskirts of Magny-les-Hameaux, is a reminder of the deep faith that permeated the lives of past generations. Dating back to the 18th century, its imposing structure stood on a plateau, marking the boundary of two parishes. The original cross was quite significant, serving as a landmark for hunters in the surrounding woods. It’s believed to have inspired the name of the nearby property, “La Croix-du-Bois,” which, in turn, influenced later naming conventions like “concessions to the Croix-du-Bois” and the “path of the Croix-du-Bois.” However, you won’t find any trace of the original cross today, only the echoes of its name in the local landscape and the cadastre records. The Calvaire de la Croix-du-Bois that stands before you today was reconstructed in the second half of the 19th century, and this newly erected cross was adorned with a cast iron Christ that has been recently restored. A postcard from the early 20th century captures the cross pointing toward the village of Magny, standing in a clearing where the forest has since encroached. While the forest may have enveloped the Calvaire, its importance remains. This cross that has been restored serves as a reminder of how the past continues to inform the present in this serene corner of Paris.