Construction of menhir Néolithique (≈ 4100 av. J.-C.)
Estimated period of erection of the monument.
6 janvier 1976
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 6 janvier 1976 (≈ 1976)
Official protection of menhir by arrest.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Michel Gruet - Author and researcher
Studyed Anjou's megaliths.
Charles-Tanguy Le Roux - Scientific contributor
Updated the work of Gruet.
Origin and history
The Pierre Plate de la Pochetière, also known as Menhir de la Pochetière, is a megalithic monument located in Cholet, Maine-et-Loire department. This menhir consists of a grey granite slab with black mica, typical of the region, measuring 2.30 m in height for 1.75 m in width and 0.70 m in thickness. Its top is rounded and its main axis is oriented northeast. It is located in the Menhir Park and was listed as historical monuments in 1976.
The menhir dates from Neolithic, a period marked by the erection of many megalithic monuments in Europe. These structures, often linked to funeral or ritual practices, bear witness to the technical skills and social organization of the communities of the time. In the Pays de la Loire region, as elsewhere, these erected stones could serve as territorial landmarks or religious symbols.
The granite used for the Stone Plate, known as "Granite des Aubiers", is local and has been extracted near the site. This durable and resistant material was frequently used for megalithic constructions. Menhir has been studied and referenced in specialized works, such as Mégalithes en Anjou by Michel Gruet, which gives a detailed description. Its registration in 1976 as a Historic Monument underlines its heritage and archaeological importance.
