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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The covered road of the Pierre-Folle, located in Comequiers in Vendée, is an angeline dolmen dated from the Neolithic. A length of about 10 m and oriented north/southeast, it consists of eleven sandstone orthostates (except a limestone block) and three roof tables, one of which is still in place. The site, reported as early as 1829 by Charles Massé-Isidore as an "autel des druides", was partially destroyed at the end of the 19th century, used as a quarry, before being searched and restored in 1901 by Marcel Baudouin, who recognized there a covered alley.

The excavations of Baudouin revealed a variety of archaeological furniture: lithic tools (polished axe, flint), ceramic tensions (including a supply vase), copper objects (a chalcolithic pin of Alpine origin), and bone remains (pendeloque in canidated tooth, human skeleton). Among the discoveries, a talcschist disc fragment and a modern brass object (initial misinterpretation) were discovered. The material is now preserved at the Musée des Sables-d'Olonne. Baudouin also mentioned natural irregularities on slabs, misinterpreted as engravings ("Pas de la Virgo", "foot of the Devil").

Ranked a historic monument on 13 April 1929, the dolmen suffered recent damage, including a fire in May 2021 seriously damaging sandstone slabs. Despite a restoration criticized for its lack of rigour, the site remains a major testimony of the vendean megalithism. The alleged polishers on four orthostats and copper pin, dated from the Chalcolithic, underline its archaeological importance. Dolmen also illustrates local beliefs, mixing legends (druid altar) and prehistoric realities.

The approximate address of the site is 6048 La Gite, 85220 Commequiers, in the department of Vendée (region Pays de la Loire). The cadastre the reference under Parcel F 651. Although closed to the visit, its isolation did not prevent acts of vandalism, recalling the challenges of preserving megalithic monuments. Available sources (Wikipedia, Monumentum) confirm its protected heritage status, despite uncertainties about some historical interpretations.

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