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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Pierre du Coq and the Poule form a megalithic ensemble located in Échemiré, in the department of Maine-et-Loire, in Pays de la Loire. These two stoneware menhirs, dated from the Neolithic, are distinguished by their geological dimensions and peculiarities. The Rooster, a 2 metres high prismatic slab, is naturally pierced by an oblique hole of 1 metre deep. La Poule, smaller (1.60 m), is less than 2 metres from the Rooster. A third element, a floor-coated polisher, features polishing grooves typical of Neolithic tools.

Ranked as historical monuments in 1979, this collection illustrates the ritual or artisanal practices of the period. According to a local tradition, the Pierre du Coq would turn on itself to the song of the cock, adding a folk dimension to the site. Menhirs, often associated with symbolic or funeral functions, reflect the social and spiritual organization of the Neolithic communities of the region.

Available sources, including Wikipedia and Monumentum, highlight the archaeological importance of the site. The 1979 ranking allowed its preservation, while studies such as those of Michel Gruet (Megalithes en Anjou, 2005) document its historical context. The precise location, near Baugé-en-Anjou, and its state of conservation make it a rare testimony of the Angelian megaliths.

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