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Origin and history

The Pierre Saint-Julien is a menhir carved in pink sandstone, 4.55 meters high, located at the southern corner of the western facade of the Cathedral of Saint-Julien du Mans. This megalith, dated from the prehistoric period (about five millennia ago), is also nicknamed "milk stone", "blood stone" or "gargantua rock". Its central orifice, a cupula polished by friction, was associated with fertility rituals: young women rubbed their fingers there to promote pregnancy. The popular tradition also sees a stylized representation of a draped woman, whose navel attracts visitors.

Set up in 1778 in Saint-Michel Square after the destruction of the nearby dolmen, the menhir was supported by the cathedral to preserve it. Its veined pink sandstone, typical of the Eocene, and its supposed anthropomorphic shape make it a local symbol. Ranked a historical monument in 1889, it illustrates the megalithic heritage of the region, mixing legends (like that of Gargantua) and ancient pagan practices. Its current location, against a cathedral wall, highlights its progressive integration into the religious and urban heritage of Le Mans.

The stone bears several vernacular names reflecting its past uses and beliefs: "Pagan stone" evokes its pre-Christian origin, while "blood stone" recalls supposed executions nearby. These names, transmitted orally, testify to the persistence of popular traditions around megaliths. Today, the menhir remains a point of interest for its geological mystery (the natural draperies of sandstone) and its role in local folklore, between ancient sacredness and tourist curiosity.

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