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Origin and history

The menhir de Kervéniou, also known as Kerviniou, is an emblematic megalithic vestige located in the commune of Penvénan, in the Côtes-d'Armor department of Brittany. This monument, erected during the Neolithic period, bears witness to the cultural and religious practices of prehistoric societies in the region. Its imposing shape and state of conservation make it a remarkable example of Breton megalithic architecture.

The menhir has been officially recognized for its heritage value and has been classified as historic monuments since 21 December 1965. With a height ranging from 2.20 m to 2.45 m depending on the faces, it is distinguished by its east side, perfectly smooth, and its unequal dimensions at the base. These physical characteristics, identified by archaeological inventories from the late 19th century, make it a subject of study for researchers interested in megaliths in the Lannion district.

Historical sources, such as the works of Gaston de la Chénelière (1880) and of A. L. Harmois (1912), mention the menhir in larger inventories of the megalithic monuments of the North Coasts (formerly the Côtes-d'Armor). These documents, supplemented by later studies such as Anne Marchat and Michelle Le Brozec (1991), underline its importance in the local archaeological landscape. Today, the Kervenian Menhir remains a point of interest for those passionate about history and prehistory, although its exact location is considered to be of poor accuracy (level 5/10).

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