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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Menhir de la Roche is a megalithic monument located in the commune of Gorron, in the department of Mayenne (region Pays de la Loire). Composed of granite, it peaks at 4.50 meters high and dates from Neolithic, about 4000 BC. This menhir illustrates the early human occupation of the Colmont Valley, where other similar remains, such as the covered alley of the Petit Vieux Sou in Brécé, attest to a marked neolithic presence.

It has been listed as a historic monument since 15 March 1978 and is the only protected building in the municipality. Located on a private plot near a tributary stream of the Colmont, at the place called the Pré Neuf under Vallons, it is accessible via a communal hiking circuit (the circuit of the Colmont). Its pastoral environment, marked by the presence of cattle, inspired a local legend: on Christmas night, at midnight, the stone would turn twelve times on itself while the cows would kneel.

The name of the menhir probably comes from the neighbouring village, following a common toponymic tradition for places associated with megaliths (e.g. the Rock, the Stone). This monument is part of a broader set of neolithic sites in the region, reflecting the cultural and religious practices of the agricultural communities of the time. Its 1978 ranking underlines its heritage importance, although it remains unknown compared to other French megaliths.

The available sources (Wikipedia, Monumentum) confirm its status as a historical monument and its precise location, with an address referenced in the Mérimée base: 5866 La Roche, 53120 Gorron. The accuracy of its geographic location is estimated to be satisfactory (note 6/10), and photographs licensed under Creative Commons document its current aspect.

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