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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The three menhirs of Celles-sur-Belle constitute a megalithic ensemble emblematic of Neolithic. Located in the Deux-Sèvres department (79), they testify to the cultural and religious practices of the prehistoric societies of the region. Their precise location, noted as "very satisfactory" (note 8/10), is indicated near the municipality, with an approximate address in Beausais-Vitré.

Ranked as a Historic Monument in 1889, these menhirs were among the first prehistoric sites protected in France. Their presence reflects the importance of megalithic constructions in the landscape and collective memory of the Poitou-Charentes, now integrated into New Aquitaine. Available data from Monumentum confirm their heritage status without providing details of their exact use or archaeological context.

During the Neolithic period, the region was marked by a transition to agriculture and sedentarization. Menhirs, often associated with ritual or commemorative functions, could serve as territorial landmarks or symbols for local communities. Their alignment or grouping, as in Celles-sur-Belle, suggests a complex social and spiritual organization, typical of this pivotal period of prehistory.

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