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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Riveraie Menhir is a large block of sandstone, 3 metres high, 2.50 metres wide at the base and 0.80 metres thick. It is distinguished by a circular depression of 12 cm in diameter on one of its faces. This monument, typical of megalithic architecture, bears witness to the cultural and religious practices of Neolithic in the region.

By the end of the 19th century, two other menhirs were still visible nearby. The first, described by Pitre de Lisle, was 2.80 metres high and had an irregular cavity near its top. The second, to the west, was shot down and broken, illustrating the vulnerability of these remains to human activities. Only the main menhir remains today.

Ranked a historic monument in 1984, the Menhir de la Riveraie is a preserved example of the megalithic heritage of Loire-Atlantique. Its official inscription underlines its archaeological and cultural importance. Historical sources, such as the works of Pitre de Lisle and the bulletins of the Archeological Society of Nantes, document its evolution and local significance.

The region of Saint-Père-en-Retz, rich in megalithic sites, offers a favourable context for the study of neolithic societies. These monuments, often linked to funeral or astronomical rites, marked the landscape and structured the territories. Their preservation helps inform the lifestyles and beliefs of prehistoric communities.

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