Logo Musée du Patrimoine

All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

Menhirs in the forest of Haute-Sève in Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier en Ille-et-Vilaine

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine Celtique
Menhirs
Ille-et-Vilaine

Menhirs in the forest of Haute-Sève in Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier

    Forêt de Haute Sève
    35140 Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier
Crédit photo : GO69 - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Néolithique
Âge du Bronze
Âge du Fer
Antiquité
Haut Moyen Âge
Moyen Âge central
Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
4100 av. J.-C.
4000 av. J.-C.
0
1800
1900
2000
Néolithique
Construction period
1883
First inventory
1900
Historical classification
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

The five menhirs (Box A1 109, 110, 47-50): ranking by list of 1900

Key figures

Paul Bézier - Archaeologist Mentioned the Rocks Piquées in 1883.
P. Henry - Researcher Author of the first precise description.
Jacques Briard - Archaeologist Studyed the megaliths of Ille-et-Vilaine.

Origin and history

Menhirs of the forest of Haute-Sève are located in the forest of the same name, in Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier, Ille-et-Vilaine. These megalithic monuments, erected during the Neolithic period, are divided into two groups: the Piqué Rocks to the east, and the Judge's Staircase to the west. Five of the menhirs were classified as historical monuments in 1900, highlighting their heritage importance.

The group of Piquées Rocks has six menhirs irregularly dispersed, with varying distances between them. The first menhir is separated from the second by 16 metres, while the fourth is 180 metres east of the first. This group was first described by P. Henry, although previously mentioned by Paul Bézier.

The judge's staircase, located to the west, consists of two standing menhirs and four overturned blocks, probably quartzite or sandstone. Other scattered stones cover an area of 0.4 hectares, partly hidden by vegetation. According to a local legend, a treasure would be buried under the Piqué Rocks, but any attempt to dig would cause the stones to sink. The site would also be haunted by malicious elves.

Historical sources cite inventory and study works, including those of Paul Bézier in 1883 and Jacques Briard in 2004. This research has documented the disposition of menhirs and their archaeological context, while highlighting their integration into the Breton megalithic landscape.

External links