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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The menhir says La Pierre au Diable, also called menhir de la Poupinière, is an emblematic megalithic monument located in Saint-Pierre-des-Nids, in the department of Mayenne. Data of Neolithic, this erect stone reaches 3.90 meters high, making it one of the highest menhirs in the department. Its location in the local landscape reflects the cultural and religious practices of the prehistoric societies of the region.

Menhir was classified as a historical monument by an order of 20 January 1978, thereby recognizing its heritage and archaeological value. This official protection aims to preserve this rare vestige, representative of megalithism in Pays de la Loire. Although its exact use remains uncertain, this type of monument was generally associated with ritual, funeral or symbolic functions within neolithic communities.

The available sources, such as Wikipedia and Monumentum, confirm its precise address at 386 Le Rocher, as well as its membership in the municipality of Saint-Pierre-des-Nids, identified by Insee code 53246. Menhir is listed in the Merimée base, which facilitates its listing among the protected monuments of the region. No additional information is provided on its accessibility or related services.

In the Neolithic region, the Pays de la Loire region was marked by a transition to agriculture and sedentarisation. Menhirs, such as that of La Pierre au Diable, were probably part of a network of territorial or spiritual landmarks for local populations. Their erection required a collective organization, reflecting a society structured around common beliefs and practices.

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