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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Menhir du Bourg, also known as the Menhir de Pouldève (or Poul Devé), is an iconic megalithic monument located in the centre of Carnac, in the Morbihan. This stone block, with a height of 2.70 meters, rests on a stone pedestal of about 50 cm. It is accessible via a small dead end, the way to Pouldève, and bears an inscription indicating that it is a "State property". Its urban location, in the heart of the village, contrasts with the majority of menhirs, often located in the countryside or aligned in prehistoric sites.

Ranked as historical monuments in 1889, the Menhir du Bourg illustrates the early emphasis placed on the preservation of neolithic remains in Brittany. The mention of its listing in 1889 underscores its early status as a protected heritage, at a time when the preservation of megaliths became a national concern. The site is now managed by the state, as evidenced by the facade terminal, and remains a point of interest for visitors interested in the prehistoric history of the region.

The menhir is part of a broader context of Breton megaliths, characteristic of Neolithic, during which the local communities erected these stones for probably ritual or commemorative purposes. Carnac, renowned for its menhir alignments, houses here an isolated but equally significant specimen. Its masonry pedestal, an addition after the original erection, could indicate a desire for stabilization or further development, reflecting the conservation practices of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The available sources, including Wikipedia and Monumentum, confirm its precise address at l-8 Impasse de Pouldeve, as well as its administrative membership in the Morbihan department (code Insee 56034). Although the details of its exact erection and its original function remain unknown, its classification and location make it a tangible witness to the neolithic occupation in Brittany, accessible to the public in an urban setting atypical for this type of monument.

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