Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Menhir de Saint-Samson is a sacred stone located in the enclosure of the chapel of the same name, in Pleumeur-Bodou, in the Côtes-d'Armor department. Composed of a granite block of Canton Island, it is 1.85 m high and has a phallic shape. A small square cross, cut at a height of 1.35 m on the southeast side, bears witness to its Christianization. Its authenticity as a prehistoric menhir remains debated, however, no definitive evidence confirming that it was initially a megalithic monument.

Stone is associated with popular beliefs related to fertility and manhood. The pilgrims rubbed themselves against her to benefit from her supposed powers, especially to treat kidney pain. A sanding polished by these repeated frictions is visible on one of its sides. Once crushed, plots of the stone were also used to prepare a potion considered miraculous. These traditions reflect the symbolic importance of menhir in local folklore.

The monument was listed as historic monuments on October 7, 1964, recognizing its heritage value. Although its original function remains uncertain, its integration into the chapel enclosure and the practices associated with it illustrate the persistence of Christianized pagan beliefs. The stone, owned by the municipality of Pleumeur-Bodou, continues to attract visitors for its history and legends.

Historical sources mention menhir in several books, including those by Anne Marchat, Michelle Le Brozec, and Georges Guénin, which document Breton megaliths and their legends. This work highlights the role of this type of monument in local traditions, between prehistoric heritage and religious re-appropriation. The location of the menhir, near the chapel Saint-Samson, reinforces its link with the devotional practices and popular narratives of the region.

External links