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Origin and history

The Menhir de la Pierre qui Tourne, also known as Menhir de la Drouetterie, is a megalithic monument located in the commune of Vay, in the Loire-Atlantique (Land of the Loire). This quartzite monolith, almost prismatic, is 2.96 meters high for 1.13 meters wide and is slightly tilted north. Its top has a cement base, vestige of an ancient cross, bearing witness to a later Christianization of a pre-Christian building. Several surrounding blocks suggest the existence of a larger megalithic ensemble, now unknown.

Located about 1 km southeast of the village of Vay, near the road to La Grigonnais, this menhir is located in a rural environment, 7 km west of Nozay, on the Nantes-Rennes axis (national road 137). The commune of Vay is itself located 40 km north of Nantes, in an area marked by a notable megalithic presence, as evidenced by other sites in Loire-Atlantique.

Ranked as historical monuments by decree of 5 November 1928, this menhir illustrates the importance of neolithic remains in the region. Its local name, "Pierre qui tourne", could evoke legends or ancient practices related to this type of monument, although these are not documented in available sources. Official protection underscores its heritage value, both archaeological and historical.

The bibliographical records, such as the Archaeological Dictionary of the Loire-Inferior (1882) by Pitre de Lisle du Dreneuc, confirm its seniority and its integration into the regional megalithic landscape. Today, the site remains accessible, although practical information about its visit is limited. Its approximate address, 48 Le Champ des Vignes, allows to locate it in a preserved rural setting.

The presence of this menhir, like that of other similar sites in the department (alignment of the Pillar to the Gâvre, for example), bears witness to the human occupation and cultural practices of the Neolithic in the Pays de la Loire. These monuments, often reinvested symbolically over the centuries, offer insight into the beliefs and spatial organization of the prehistoric societies of the region.

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