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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Devil's Maps refer to a set of engraved granite outcrops, located west of Piriac-sur-Mer, near the hamlet of Saint Sebastian. These rocks, located on a private land, bear motifs not visible to the naked eye: crosses, geometric shapes and cupules. Their dating remains uncertain. Long associated with prehistory because of their proximity to local megaliths, recent studies suggest rather an origin between the 16th and 19th centuries, notably thanks to the analysis of Meniscoul stones, similar engraved rocks moved later.

The site was first studied in 1873, when the stones of the Meniscoul, originally located nearby, were transferred to the garden of the town hall of Piriac-sur-Mer. A second study campaign took place in 1977. In 2006, the Devil's Maps were listed as historic monuments, recognizing their heritage value. In 2015, a search cleared the outcrops and used photogrammetry to analyze them, revealing more details about these mysterious engravings.

The engravings of the Devil's Maps raise questions about their function and symbolism. Their association with crosses and geometric motifs could evoke religious practices, territorial markings or apotropaic symbols (destined to remove evil). Their study remains limited due to their restricted access to private property and their conservation status, exposed to weather and vegetation.

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