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Origin and history

La Pierre Cornoise, also known as Pierre de Cornoy or Pierre de Cornière, is an iconic menhir located in the commune of Thoury-Férottes in the Seine-et-Marne department. This megalithic monument, dated from the Neolithic, is distinguished by its shape evoking a horn, hence its name. Consisting of a sandstone slab, it is 3.70 metres high with a width of 1.90 metres at the base and a thickness of about 1 metre. It has natural cups on all its faces and a perforation of 5 cm in diameter.

Reported for the first time in 1848 by E. Paty, the menhir suffered vicissitudes: he was overthrown around 1860, and was straightened on 23 March 1895. It has been classified as historical monuments since 1889. According to the sources, it would be buried in the ground about 1.20 metres deep. This site is one of the remarkable megalithic remains of the Île-de-France region, reflecting the practices and beliefs of neolithic societies.

Archaeological studies, such as those conducted by Edmond Hue in 1907 or Alain Bénard in 2009, highlight its importance in local heritage. Menhir is listed in the Mérimée base under the name Menhir dit la Pierre Cornoise, with a precise location in the commune of Thoury-Férottes (code Insee 77465). Its state of conservation and accessibility make it a point of interest for those passionate about history and archaeology.

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