Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Menhir de Pierre-Fritte, also known as Pierre Frit(t)e, is a megalithic monument located in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, in the Essonne department. This block of Fontainebleau sandstone, 1.85 m high for 1.40 m wide at the base, stands on the right bank of the Yerres. Ranked as historical monuments by order of 4 April 1921, it bears witness to the human occupation of the region during the Neolithic period, a period marked by the erection of such buildings with probably symbolic or funeral vocation.

According to a local legend reported by the sources, the menhir would have the peculiarity of speaking. An oral tradition tells that he would one day apostrophe a man going night to a gallant appointment, reproaching him for his conduct. This folk anecdote illustrates the fascination and beliefs associated with megaliths, often perceived as stones with power or memory in popular narratives.

From a geological point of view, the stone consists of sandstone characteristic of the forest of Fontainebleau, a sedimentary rock frequent in this part of the Île-de-France. Its current location, near Yerres, could suggest a link to the traffic lanes or natural landmarks used by neolithic communities. No recent archaeological excavations are mentioned in the available sources, limiting the knowledge of its precise context of erection.

Administratively, the menhir is listed under the code Insee 91097 for the commune of Boussy-Saint-Antoine in the district of Évry. The location data are located near 24 Rue Honoré de Balzac, although this address is approximate. Its state of conservation and accessibility are not detailed, but its ranking in 1921 underscores its heritage importance.

The available sources (Wikipedia, Monumentum) do not mention any recent archaeological excavation or in-depth scientific study on this specific menhir. His interest lies in his representativeness of the megaliths of Île-de-France and in the legends attached to him, reflecting the persistence of a collective imagination around these prehistoric remains.

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