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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The dolmen of the Cross and the menhir of the Virgin are two megalithic monuments located on the island of Hoedic, in Morbihan (British). These vestiges date from Neolithic and illustrate the funeral and symbolic practices of local prehistoric societies. The menhir, erected on a high point of the island, was later Christianized by the addition of a cross and niche housing a statuette of the Virgin, bearing witness to the religious appropriation of pagan sites.

The menhir is 4.10 meters high and rests on an artificial terre, slightly shifted to the southwest. Its apex, partially damaged (perhaps by lightning), has erosion channels confirming its vertical position since its erection. At its base, setting blocks are visible, revealed by erosion. The neighboring dolmen, associated with the menhir, form a coherent set classified as historical monuments since 12 June 1926.

The two monuments are located at Champ-du-Menhir, 36 metres from each other. Their classification in 1926 underlines their archaeological and heritage importance. The menhir, owned by the commune, has been studied, notably by Jean-Marc Large (2020) and Zacharie Le Rouzic (1965), who document its integration into the regional megalithic landscape. Its precise location near the English Fort is listed under Insee code 56085 (Morbihan).

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