Croix Catelan

The Croix Catelan takes its name from a grim legend involving a medieval troubadour named Arnault Catelan. According to the story, he was traveling through the forest of Rouvray, which is now the Bois de Boulogne, carrying a mysterious casket as a gift for the king. The armed escort sent to protect him murdered him, believing the casket contained precious jewels. When the king opened the box, he found only rare perfumes and elixirs, which eventually led to the soldiers being discovered and executed. A stone cross was erected at the site to mark the place where the troubadour was found, and that monument still stands near the entrance of the grounds today.