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Origin and history

The menhirs of Saint-Mirel form a megalithic complex located near the hamlet of Saint-Mirel, in the commune of Plénée-Jugon, in the Côtes-d'Armor department. Composed of three menhirs, two of which are grouped together and the third, called the Long Stone, is slightly apart, this ensemble date from the Neolithic. They were erected on the southeast slope of a hill that peaked at 135 metres, overlooking the Arguenon Valley. The first menhir, in granite, is 3.85 metres high, while the second, inverted, is 2.50 metres long. The more imposing Long Stone peaks at 4.45 meters.

Ranked historic monuments by decree of 11 December 1963, these menhirs bear witness to the importance of megalithic constructions in the region. In the 19th century, close blocks had been interpreted as the remains of a cromlech, a hypothesis now questioned. Their layout and size suggest a symbolic or ritual function, typical of the monuments of this period.

Historical sources, such as the work of Loïc Langouët (The Megaliths of Dinan District, 2004), confirm their anchoring in the Breton megalithic landscape. Their precise location, near the so-called Saint-Mirel place, and their legal protection make it a remarkable site for the study of Neolithic in Brittany. The Creative Commons license of available photographs facilitates their dissemination and study.

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