A few thousand years separate us from the men and women who built them. Menhirs – large, upright blocks of stone – are particularly important in western France. Brittany and the Pays de Retz are home to a large majority of them. A visit not to be missed, just a few minutes from your campsite on the Atlantic coast, Les Rochelets.
Menhirs: a monumental construction
Along with dolmens (horizontal constructions), these huge vertically-planted stones are one of the characteristic forms of megalithism. Virtually nothing is known about the social organization and beliefs of the populations who erected these menhirs. Inherited from very ancient civilizations, probably during the Neolithic period (around 5,000 to 2,500 BC), do these mastodons symbolize a sacred path? Did they have a religious vocation? Or were they simply placed to restore a harmonious balance between Heaven and Earth? Although the most numerous are to be found in Brittany, they can be found all over the world. Around your Paradis campsite, several menhirs are well worth a visit!
The Chauvé menhirs circuit
Just a stone’s throw from Saint-Père-en-Retz, the Menhirs circuit is an incredible 9km hike that can be enjoyed on foot, by bike or on horseback! In a peaceful, verdant setting, let yourself be surprised by the many menhirs. Along the way, you’ll discover the Chevanou, Pierre Lematz and Platennes menhirs. Up to several meters high and wide, these impressive structures arouse our curiosity and take us back in time. This circuit can be extended with the village circuit variant (15km). This route takes you from hamlet to hamlet, through fields, pastures, undergrowth and streams…
Menhirs around Saint-Brévin-les-Pins
Menhirs (and even dolmens) are particularly prominent between Saint-Brévin-les-Pins, Pornic and La Bernerie-en-Retz. You’ll recognize the Boivre menhir by its triangular shape. The Pierre Attelée menhir is located in Saint-Brévin’s public park. The Christianized menhir known as “du Poteau” can be seen in the commune of La Bernerie. And many other discoveries await you along the way…
Photo credit: © Office de Tourisme de Pornic – Mélanie Chaigneau