Webzine Ardèche

View of the village of Andance in the Ardèche and the Rhône river from the Drôme

What do you know about Les Trois Croix in Andance, Ardèche?

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You can see them from a distance as soon as you cross the bridge over the Rhône linkingAndance to Andancette, or even just from the centre of the village, when you’re near the church. But what are these three crosses overlooking the hill? And how do you get there?

Walking, hiking and walking

Located on the right bank of the river, Andance ‘s economy has long been closely linked to the Rhône.

The municipality is currently home to almost 1,200 residents and a host of services including a health centre, shops and, as of March 2020, a new mooring pontoon and a municipal road under construction.

This is an ancient Phocaean colony. A Roman settlement preceded the medieval village, but for a long time it retained its seafaring tradition. As industry developed, it adapted to welcome cruise ships, but also the Grand Raid Rhone-Alpin by hovercraft and jousting tournaments (around 15 August).

Where does Les Trois Croix come from?

Renovated in 1990 (as the inscription on the central cross indicates), regularly maintained and added in 2015 to the fresco on the quay at the request of the mayor at the time, Alain Delaleuf, this religious heritage building is one of the most popular with walkers (who use the signposted footpaths).
While the panoramic view from the top is well worth the 1.8 kilometre climb (from the Domaine d’Andance), you only have to look up from the village to recognise its spiritual and picturesque aura.

To this day, there is no trace of when they were first built. This ignorance and the popular imagination have given rise to a number of legends about them, fomenting the practice of Christian rites such as pilgrimages.

View of Andance in the Ardèche
View of Andance and the Rhône in the Ardèche, Chemin des Trois Croix

Three crosses, 3 legends?

However, we do know that the current stone crosses replaced the black wooden ones destroyed by the Baron des Adrets during the Wars of Religion.

According to the first legend, it was in memory of the bodies of three small children who had washed up on the shore at this spot, and then at the time of the Crusades, of three young girls who were consumed with waiting for their fiancés at the top of the cliff.

Another legend from the 1st century, when the port of Andance already existed, tells of three Christian martyrs, Pomponia, Urianée and Agathon, who are said to have landed at the same time as a miracle occurred in the nearby fountain (which has now come to a standstill), hence the name of the Fountain of the Three Holy Bodies.

It is said that water suddenly gushed from the cross, curing illnesses. Numerous pilgrims have climbed the tortuous path leading to it to prostrate themselves at the foot of the crosses, honouring the ancient memory and asking for divine protection.

The source of a final legend, a little higher than the three crosses, rocks arranged in a crown have been given the name of “Clovis’ crown“.
Some say that a pagan temple was built on this hill and that bulls were sacrificed there.

However, archaeological studies have demonstrated the inconsistency of these legends, which belong to popular tradition.

The fact remains that they help to arouse the curiosity of visitors and spark theimagination of local residents!

Hiking around Andance ?

Here’s a suggestion for a walk to discover the Troix Croix as well as Saint-Etienne-de-Valloux, the medieval village of Thorrenc and Blacieux castle: