Crux-la-Ville is a commune in the Nièvre department, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, 18 km south-west of Corbigny.
Its vast territory of 45 km² where the Aron river, a tributary of the Loire, has its source, is dotted with numerous ponds. Its green environment is favorable to breeding (grasslands make up 51% of the area), and forests (33%) and arable land (13%) add to the rural and bucolic character of the locality.
In Antiquity, Roman roads crossed the future commune, where a mosaic was unearthed in the 19th century.
In the Middle Ages, the seigneury of Crux, made up of the parishes of Crux-la-Ville and Crux-le-Châtel, belonged to the Damas family, which later held the county of Marcilly. As for the churches, they come under the abbey of Autun.
From the 17th and 18th centuries, via the development of the Cours de la Rigole, wood from Crux was transported to Paris. In the 19th century, the Aron river was also developed so that the forest wealth could be exploited and marketed via the new Nivernais canal.
More recently, during the Second World War, the forests of Crux were the scene of severe fighting between maquisards and German troops in August 1944.
Nowadays, although the town has only 400 inhabitants, it remains popular by tourists for its natural heritage and the Etang du Merle leisure centre.
Several sites, in the town or the many hamlets, can mark out a route dedicated to the discovery of the built and historical heritage of the locality.
This is the case, to the northeast, of the Landas mill, on the course of the Aron. It dates from the 18th century and allowed a fuller craftsman to compress sheets between metal cylinders to make them tighter. The mill wheel was restored in 1995.
In the village itself, the Grande-Fontaine washhouse was also built in the 18th century, made of masonry stones. We notice the basin in the shape of a basin (which may have previously served as a drinking trough) and the frame supported by ten pillars, covered with tiles. It would be a re-use of that of the primitive church of Crux-la-Ville. This washhouse was restored in the 1980s.
The current parish church of Saint-Nazaire, which is actually current, was erected in 1864, replacing the medieval church of the 11th and 16th centuries. It is true that the parish then had more than 2,000 faithful. In neo-Romanesque style, the building retains several elements and works of art classified as objects. There is thus in the north transept an epitaph from 1763, on a black marble slab, celebrating the memory of the former lords (Damascus-Crux family). Nearby is a memorial in honor of Crux soldiers who died during the First World War and another commemorating the sacrifice of 22 maquisards in August 1944 around the feast of August 15... In the 1930s, was donated and installed in the church a painting, "L'Ange Gardien", first attributed to the great master Philippe de Champaigne. It turns out that the author of this work dated 1654 was his nephew Jean Baptiste de Champaigne. Still the property of the municipality, the painting is now kept in the faience museum of Nevers. A beautiful photo reproduction has replaced the original in the church itself. In addition, a painting representing the Coronation of the Virgin, in painted wood, dating from the 16th century, whose author remains unknown, is visible. Beautiful stained glass windows from the 19th and 20th centuries recently restored, a carved wooden pulpit and about fifteen statues are finally to be admired...
In addition to a few traditional dwellings and several Calvaries, we finally include in this route the chapel of Saint-Thomas, already noted as vestiges in the 19th century. It was the refuge of a hermit…
On the cultural level, on the third Friday of the month, two cinema sessions are scheduled (at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.) in the village hall (which has been equipped for this purpose) thanks to an association. Films are recent, but classics and documentaries can also be offered. Price: 3 or 5 euros.
The rest of the time, this same room regularly hosts shows or association events. Inquire on +33 3 86 58 35 65.
In terms of "nature" leisure, the Merle pond is the main asset of the town. Located to the southwest of the town, the body of water was created in the 18th century for fish farming purposes. Still surrounded by an imposing forest massif, vast of 19 hectares, it remains partly dedicated to this activity and to fishing.
But it has also become a tourist site thanks to the leisure center and the sandy beach which occupy it on one side. Swimming is authorized and supervised in July and August. Also available are picnic areas, a fitness trail, sports equipment (table tennis tables, football goals, etc.), a children's play area with climbing tower and zip line.
Free access. Inquire on +33 3 86 58 25 74.
For fishing enthusiasts, information on regulations by contacting the departmental federation on +33 3 86 61 18 98.
From the pond (or around), are drawn in the nearby forest hiking trails or marked trails for mountain bikers. Other paths cross the locality and its bucolic landscapes. Maps and information on +33 3 86 58 25 74.
Also note that two remembrance tourism circuits have been set up and provide a better understanding of what the Crux battles in August 1944 and the battles of on the other hand the clandestine life of the maquisards of the region who had taken refuge in the woods. Information on +33 3 86 58 35 65.
It is also possible to join outings organized by the local Rando Vadrouille club: join +33 7 86 38 83 82.
