Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Lord's Chair, also called Gargantua Cheese, is a erratic block located in the municipality of Chozeau, in the department of Isère (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). This monument, dated from the Middle Ages, combines two remarkable elements: a cupstone and a rough millstone, visible from the path of the Planters. The mill, about 70 cm in diameter and 20 cm in thickness, bears witness to a local artisanal production, typical of medieval parishes. The coupula stone, on the other hand, remains partially buried under the vegetation, at the southern end of an isolated hedge.

This site illustrates the history of the village grinders, abandoned in the lower Middle Ages when the mills turned to better quality grinders, especially those of the Brie. The Lord's Chair was listed as a historical monument on November 26, 2007, including the plot on which it rests (Cadastre A 241, Placed La Roche). Its precise location, near the hamlet of Boirieu, is accessible via a road perpendicular to RD 18, about 50 meters from a hedge bordering the plateau.

The monument is part of a regional network of cupstones, such as that of Bonce or Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet. These remains, often linked to prehistoric or medieval practices, underline the importance of local resources in the rural economy. The Chair of the Lord thus embodies a geological and historical heritage, marked by milling activity and popular beliefs, as evidenced by its legendary nickname.

Available sources (Wikipedia, Monumentum) confirm its status as a protected monument and its archeo-industrial value. The location, although detectable via GPS coordinates, remains of medium accuracy (level 7/10), and the site is not arranged for a structured tourist visit. Photographs, such as Xavier Caré's Creative Commons license, document his current state, partially overgrown by vegetation.

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