Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The covered avenue of Four-es-Feins, also known as the Four des Fées, is a megalithic monument located in Miniac-Morvan, Ille-et-Vilaine (British). Dating from the Neolithic, it extends 10 meters long and 1.50 meters wide, facing east-west. Its structure is based on 11 orthostats (6 to the south, 5 to the north) and 3 granite slabs, supplemented by a bedside slab. Several scattered blocks in the vicinity suggest an initially more complex construction. The name Four-es-Feins evokes popular beliefs related to fairies or luteins, frequent for megalithic sites.

Classified as historical monuments since 23 September 1965, this covered alley is distinguished by its partial state of conservation. The slabs, with a thickness of 0.50 to 0.60 metres, are still in place, while the natural terre on which it rests is 2.5 kilometres southwest of the village. The site illustrates the funeral and symbolic practices of the Neolithic in Brittany, where the covered alleys often served as collective burials.

Archaeological sources, such as the works of Jacques Briard and Loïc Langouët (Les megalithes d-Ille-et-Vilaine, 2004), confirm his belonging to the regional megalithic heritage. The name Feins could derive from Breton feiz (foi) or evoke mythological entities, reflecting the folk interpretations associated with these monuments. No recent excavations are mentioned in the available documents, but their ranking reflects their heritage importance.

External links