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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The menhir of the Plessis-Gamat is an emblematic megalithic vestige of the Neolithic, when prehistoric societies erected stones for probably ritual or commemorative purposes. Located in the commune of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins (Loire-Atlantique, Pays de la Loire), this monument is distinguished by its quartz-rich sandstone composition, a sustainable local rock. Its dimensions – 2.60 m high for a base of 1.25 m wide – make it a modest but characteristic example of the menhirs of western France.

Ranked as historical monuments by order of 1 September 1977, the menhir enjoys legal protection which underlines its heritage importance. The slab, of a thickness of between 0.35 and 0.50 m, was studied in the 19th century, as evidenced by its mention in the Archaeological Dictionary of the Loire-Inferior (1882) of Pitre de Lisle du Dreneuc. This historical document places it among the megalithic sites of the region, although its exact use remains uncertain.

The location of the menhir, near the Orion driveway in Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, suggests an anchor in a landscape that is now urbanized, but once marked by agricultural activities and prehistoric roads. Its classification in the Mérimée base (official reference of French monuments) and its visibility on platforms such as Monumentum confirm its status as a local and national heritage. No recent search is mentioned in the available sources, leaving open questions about its erection context and its original function.

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