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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

La Pierre Blanche is a quartz menhir located in Pocé-les-Bois, in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany. Data from the Neolithic, this megalithic monument is distinguished by its obelisk shape and polygonal base, with imposing dimensions: 3.72 m high, 1.54 m wide and 1.35 m thick. It has been classified as historic monuments since 26 March 1970, stressing its heritage importance.

The menhir was first mentioned in 1207 under the name of petra alba in an act of donation by the knight Robert de Domagné to the Priory of Sainte-Croix de Vitré. This document attests to its medieval existence and its integration into local landscapes and history from the Middle Ages. Its material, quartz, and atypical shape make it a remarkable example of the megalithic constructions of the region.

Archaeological and historical sources, such as the works of Paul Bézier (1883) or Jacques Briard (2004), confirm his membership in the megalithic network of Ille-et-Vilaine. These studies highlight its role in the cultural and ritual practices of Neolithic, although the precise details of its use remain partially unknown.

Today, the Pierre Blanche is located at the approximate address 14 La Selerie, 35500 Pocé-les-Bois, and its state of conservation is followed by heritage services. Its classification as a historic monument guarantees its protection and its enhancement within the framework of the Breton heritage.

Menhir is part of a wider set of megalithic sites in the region, reflecting the importance of these constructions in prehistoric societies. These monuments, often linked to funeral or symbolic functions, marked the territory and served as landmarks for local communities.

Finally, the Pierre Blanche illustrates the diversity of the megaliths of Ille-et-Vilaine, where quartz and granite dominate. Its history, documented since the 13th century, makes it a privileged witness to the continuity between prehistoric and medieval epochs, as well as to the evolution of Breton cultural landscapes.

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