Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The menhirs of Pierre-Levée, also called Les Pierres Jumelles, are located in the commune of Olonne-sur-Mer, integrated with the Sables-d'Olonne, in the department of Vendée (Pays de la Loire). This megalithic site consists of two erect stones: a shale block measuring 3.20 meters high, straightened in 1922 by archaeologist Marcel Baudouin, and a second menhir in granite of 3.50 meters high, 1.50 m wide and 1.55 m thick on average. Their arrangement and their distinct geological nature (schiste vs granite) underline their singularity in the Vendean landscape.

The classification of the Twin Stones as historical monuments, official since the decree of 15 April 1982, attests to their heritage value. These menhirs are part of a broader set of regional megalithic sites, reflecting the cultural and religious practices of neolithic societies. Their preservation allows us to study the techniques of size, transport and erection of megaliths, as well as their symbolic or funeral role, although their exact function remains debated by the specialists.

The precise location of the menhirs, at 6881 La Pierre Levée in Olonne-sur-Mer, is referenced in the Mérimée database under the Cadastral code E 754. Their conservation status and accessibility are monitored, as evidenced by the location rating estimated at 7/10 (satisfactory) on Monumentum. These elements make it a place of interest both historical, archaeological and touristic, representative of the prehistoric heritage of the Vendée.

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