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Origin and history

The Menhir de la Grande Pierre d'Averdon is a megalithic monument located in the commune of Averdon, in the department of Loir-et-Cher, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. This Beauce limestone block, taken on site, is 1.80 m high for 1.70 m wide at the base and 0.60 m thick. It testifies to the human activity and cultural practices of Neolithic in this region.

According to historical sources, the menhir was partially damaged by a carrier attempting to destroy it. Despite this, there remains an emblematic vestige of local megalithic sites. Since 1979, it has been protected as historical monuments, highlighting its heritage importance.

Local folklore combines this menhir with popular beliefs, especially as a place for cats to sabbath on Carnival night. These accounts illustrate the persistence of legends around megaliths, often linked to pagan or mysterious practices in the collective imagination.

The Loir-et-Cher region has several megalithic sites, and this menhir is part of a wider set of prehistoric monuments. Its ranking in 1979 preserved this testimony from the past, while offering a point of interest for the study of local history and popular traditions.

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