Les Chevaliers cathares, Contemporary sculpture by highway A61 in Narbonne, France.
Les Chevaliers cathares consists of three massive concrete monuments, each standing 13 meters tall along highway A61 at the Pech Loubat rest area. One of the figures contains a spiral staircase leading to an observation point within the sculpture's head.
Artist Jacques Tissinier created these monumental works in 1980 to commemorate the Cathars, who faced persecution in southern France during the 13th century. The highway company acquired the sculptures in 1982, transforming them into a remarkable roadside landmark.
These sculptures evoke the memory of the Cathars, a religious group that lived in southern France and faced intense opposition. They serve as a visual reminder of a past that remains part of the region's identity today.
The sculptures are located at a rest area, making them accessible during a travel break along the highway. The climb inside one of the figures requires sure-footedness and is not suitable for people with limited mobility.
French singer Francis Cabrel wrote a song about these sculptures, describing them as knights who cry softly beside the highway. This connection to popular music makes them an unusual example of public art that lives in people's memories through a song.
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