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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The neolithic graves of Penvénan, located at the so-called Roch-Las-en-Port-Blanc in the Côtes-d-Armor, originally formed a complex of about fifty megalithic monuments. These tombs, characteristic of the Neolithic period, bear witness to the funeral practices of the period and the symbolic importance given to the deceased in prehistoric Breton societies. All were classified as historical monuments by decree of 2 October 1936, highlighting their exceptional heritage value.

To date, only one of these graves has survived time. It was moved into the enclosure of the chapel of Saint-Gonval, still on the commune of Penvénan, in order to preserve it. This move illustrates conservation efforts in the twentieth century to protect these fragile remains, while making them accessible to the public in a historical and religious setting.

The Roch-Las-en-Port-Blanc site was studied as early as 1936, notably by R. Mazères and Erwan de Bellaing, who provided a geological and prehistoric description of it detailed in the Bulletins and Memoirs of the Cote d'Armor-Demulation Society. This work has helped document the archaeological importance of the site, now reduced to a single witness of this lost megalithic heritage.

The preserved burial is now owned by the commune of Penvénan. Its ranking among historical monuments in 1936 reflects the early recognition of its value, in a context where many Breton megalithic sites were threatened by erosion or human activities. Its integration near the chapel Saint-Gonval offers a dialogue between two distinct epochs, one prehistoric and the other medieval or modern.

Available data from sources such as Wikipedia, Monumentum or Merimée Inventory confirm the approximate location of the site at 52 Rue des Dunes, although geographical accuracy remains limited. This monument, although little known to the general public, is an essential link in understanding the neolithic occupation of coastal Brittany.

Finally, this site is part of a wider network of megaliths on the Côtes-d-Armor, a region particularly rich in prehistoric remains. His study continues to be of interest to archaeologists, while its preservation poses challenges due to its vulnerability to the weather and increasing urbanization of the coastline.

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