PRIESTS' CROSS – ALBARET-SAINTE-MARIE

Dated 1837, this wrought-iron monstrance cross bears witness to the revolutionary episode of 1794. The rugged terrain of the Margeride region offered refuge to several priests from the commune, hunted by the "Patriots" of Saint-Chély, the armed wing of the Reign of Terror. On May 27, 1794, the four priests hiding in Albaret-Sainte-Marie—Mrs. Dumazel, Pierre, Vanel, and Saint-Just—fled to escape them. Three headed towards the Truyère gorges, and Mr. Vanel fled towards La Roche. He was unfortunately captured and guillotined in Saint-Flour on June 2, 1794. He is said to have remarked: "There are only two steps from prison to the guillotine and only one from the scaffold to heaven: I therefore have only three steps to take to reach my homeland." This cross, located just opposite the "Smallest Museum in France," is dedicated to them. As for its ornamentation, it features pointed ends conforming to the regulations of Louis-Philippe, namely the removal of fleur-de-lis.