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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Branlante Stones of Biéville-Beuville form a megalithic monument located at the end of Rue des Deux Pierres, east of the municipality of Biéville-Beuville, Calvados department. This site consists of two large stones arranged in right angle, decorated with more than 60 cups. These stones could be the remains of a partially destroyed dolmen, whose cover table would have disappeared over time. The megalith has been classified as historical monuments since 24 May 1958, highlighting its archaeological and heritage significance.

Recent archaeological excavations carried out in the commune revealed, near the Branlantes Stones, another dolmen and a sepulchral driveway dating from the end of the Neolithic. These findings reinforce the hypothesis of a major funeral or ritual site during this period. The megalith is also surrounded by local legends, such as that of stones waving at the twelve strokes of midnight or midday sounded by the parish church. Another popular belief evokes the existence of a buried treasure or a secret cave, called the fairy chamber, without tangible evidence ever being found.

The site of Les Pierres Branlantes illustrates the importance of megaliths in the cultural and historical landscape of Normandy. These monuments, often associated with funeral or symbolic practices, bear witness to the expertise and beliefs of neolithic communities. Their preservation, like that of the Branlant Stones, allows us to study the lifestyles and traditions of the prehistoric societies of the region, while fuelling the collective imagination through the legendary narratives attached to them.

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