Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Menhir d'Aire-Peyronne, also called Pierre Levée du Dramont, is a megalithic monument erected during the Neolithic period. Located at 102 meters above sea level near a pass, between the villages of Boulouris and Agay on the commune of Saint-Raphaël, it is distinguished by its composition in red porphyry with fine grains, in an area mainly composed of blue porphyre. This 1.83-metre-high block, with a 0.50-metre section, has 122 cups on its southeast face, characteristic of the symbolic or ritual practices of the time.

Ranked as historical monuments by order of 12 December 1910, this menhir illustrates the importance of megalithic constructions in the region. Its strategic location, between two villages, suggests a potential role as a territorial landmark or sacred marker for local neolithic communities. The presence of cupulas, often associated with religious or astronomical meanings, reinforces this hypothesis.

Historical sources, including the work of Hélène Barge and Eric Mahieu in Les Mégalithes du Var (2005), highlight the integration of this menhir into a wider network of megalithic sites in the Var. Its early protection at the beginning of the 20th century demonstrated the recognition of its heritage value, both archaeological and cultural. Today, there remains an emblematic vestige of the practices and beliefs of the prehistoric societies of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

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