Contributory members are able to log private notes and comments about each site
Sites theCAptain has logged. View this log as a table or view the most recent logs from everyone
Menhir dit Pierre Saint-Julien
Trip No.205 Entry No.4 Date Added: 13th Oct 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Sarthe (72))
Visited: Yes on 29th Aug 2005. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 3 Access 4
Menhir dit Pierre Saint-Julien submitted by thecaptain on 17th Oct 2005. Pierre Saint Julien menhir stands at the corner of Le Mans Cathedral, just outside the main entrance.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: Pierre Saint Julien is a 3.5 metre tall menhir, stood outside the main entrance to St Julien Cathedral, Le Mans. It is a truly lovely stone, made from a very heavily stratified, and vividly coloured rock. From certain angles, and in the right light, it looks for all the world to be a man dressed in hooded cloak stood outside the entrance of this sacred place. I do not know where the stone originally came from.
Pierre Potelée
Trip No.205 Entry No.7 Date Added: 13th Oct 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Sarthe (72))
Visited: Yes on 29th Aug 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 4
Pierre Potelée submitted by thecaptain on 22nd Feb 2006. This menhir, in the forest to the northeast of La Fleche in Sarthe, is a slab standing on its end, between 2.5 and 3 metres tall, and 2 metres wide, with many holes on one side.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: This stone is about half a kilometre east of the Mere et Fille stones in the forest and is also signposted. I parked in a parking area near to the signpost and walked for several kilometres before returning to my van having found nothing except for more signposts at the other end of the forest track pointing back from where I had come. As I got back to the van, I could see the stone, less than 100 metres from where I had parked, down a different track ! The stone is a slab on its end, between 2.5 and 3 metres tall, and 2 metres wide, with many holes on one side.
Pierres de Mère et Fille
Trip No.205 Entry No.6 Date Added: 13th Oct 2020
Site Type: Standing Stones
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Sarthe (72))
Visited: Yes on 29th Aug 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 5
Pierres de Mère et Fille submitted by thecaptain on 22nd Feb 2006. The mother and daughter stones can be easily found in the forest to the northeast of La Fleche, and are signposted from nearby.
The mother stone is more than 4 metres tall, and is the western of the pair. The daughter is just over 2 metres tall, and at the east.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: The mother and daughter stones can be easily found in the forest to the northeast of La Fleche, and are signposted from nearby. Both are nicely shaped pointed slabs, and they are about 8 metres from each other in an east west direction. The mother stone is more than 4 metres tall, and is the western of the pair, The daughter is just over 2 metres tall, and at the east. It is stated on a nearby signpost that the stones are thought to represent the sun and moon, although the evidence for this is not stated.
la Pierre Couverte (Parigné)
Trip No.205 Entry No.5 Date Added: 13th Oct 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Sarthe (72))
Visited: Yes on 29th Aug 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4
la Pierre Couverte (Parigné) submitted by thecaptain on 22nd Feb 2006. This dolmen can be fairly easily found at a junction of tracks in the Bois de Bruon, near to Parigné-le-Pôlin, a few kilometres south of Le Mans, and just off the N23 road.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: This dolmen can be fairly easily found at a junction of tracks in the Bois de Bruon, near to Parigné-le-Pôlin, a few kilometres south of Le Mans, and just off the N23 road. The largish capstone, 4 m by 3.5 m, sits on top of 4 collapsed support stones, with another one nearby. its a pleasant little walk along a forest track from where I parked the van.
Gobiane Menhir
Trip No.204 Entry No.304 Date Added: 12th Sep 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Sarthe (72))
Visited: Yes on 11th Aug 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 2
Gobiane Menhir submitted by TheCaptain on 22nd Apr 2011. This is a fairly big menhir, I would estimate over 4 metres tall halfway between the villages of Flée and Chahaignes.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: This was a difficult one to find. Halfway between the villages of Flée and Chahaignes is a track south from the D.255 road up to Gobianne farm. I parked and walked up the track for at least 800 metres, and eventually I saw the menhir in a field up on the hillside. The field is well ditched, fenced and hedged, and there was no way in. The best I got was a long distance photo.
Its a big menhir, I would estimate over 4 metres tall. When you know where it is, it can actually be seen from the road, up on the skyline to the south at the top of the hill. Nice.
Now I can see the ign 1:25,000 map, there is another menhir nearby, much nearer to the road about half a kilometre to the northwest of the Gobianne menhir.
Amenon Dolmen
Trip No.204 Entry No.307 Date Added: 12th Sep 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Sarthe (72))
Visited: Yes on 11th Aug 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 4
Amenon dolmen submitted by theCaptain on 16th Dec 2011. The dolmen remains can be found up a trackway, and can be seen from the road.
There is a little plaque explaining that it is the remains of an Angevin type Allee Couverte, which is a good thing as I would never have known that, as most of the dolmen has been destroyed in the past with having the trackway built right through it.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: The Amenon dolmen is fairly easy to find, along the little roadsouth of the river Loir between Vaas and La Chapelle-aux-Choux. Just after the little stream, the dolmen remains can be found up a trackway, and can be seen from the road. There is a little plaque explaining that it is the remains of an Angevin type Allee Couverte, which is a good thing as I would never have known that, as most of the dolmen has been destroyed in the past with having the trackway built right through it.
It was excavated in the 1970s and is now protected, but perhaps just a little too late ! The remains now are a single capstone sitting defiantly on two side supports about 1.5 metres apart, and lots of other stones in piles around it.
Menhir des Ventes
Trip No.204 Entry No.305 Date Added: 12th Sep 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Sarthe (72))
Visited: Couldn't find on 11th Aug 2005
Log Text: Now I can see the ign 1:25,000 map, there is another menhir nearby, much nearer to the road about half a kilometre to the northwest of the Gobianne menhir.
Dolmen dit Pierre Couverte de Vaas
Trip No.204 Entry No.306 Date Added: 12th Sep 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Sarthe (72))
Visited: Couldn't find on 11th Aug 2005
Log Text: I saw something that stated that this dolmen is supposedly on an island in the middle of the Loir river somewhere. I could find no sign for it, and it wasn't on my map, so didn’t try too hard. But there is marked on my maps a dolmen up in the forested hills to the north of the village, which is a fair old walk from anywhere.
La Hutte-aux-Gabelous
Trip No.202 Entry No.26 Date Added: 26th Mar 2020
Site Type: Passage Grave
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Mayenne (53))
Visited: Yes on 24th Apr 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 5 Access 5
La Hutte-aux-Gabelous submitted by thecaptain on 27th Apr 2005. La Hutte aux Gabelous, Saint Mars-sur-la-Futaie, Mayenne A cracking little find this, its been 2/3rds restored and the other end left as it was found. I think a Gabelou is some sort of soldier employed to crack down on smugglers, but cannot be sure yet.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: What a fantastic find this little Allée Couvert is a couple of kilometres to the east of the village of St Mars beside the D534 near the crossing with the D118 and is to be found in a nice little wooded area with its own little car park and picnic site.
The monument is the remains of a little Allée Couvert about 18 metres long by 5 metres width which was excavated and part restored in 1992 the northwestern 2/3rds being restored to as original condition. the southeastern 1/3rd being left in as found condition.. The chamber has its major axis on an alignment of 140° and is about 1.8 metres in both width and height with an unknown length due to the east end being in ruined condition. There are 5 large capstones in place on top of 6 pairs of uprights with a nice large slab forming the end of the chamber. The entrance is at the eastern end of the southern side.
This monument is said to be fairly unique because of the rectangular nature of the external peristalith which is formed with contiguous upright slabs. The gap between the external walling and the main chamber is filled with stones for the restored part. Flints and pottery were found within the chamber from a whole range of periods.
I almost missed this as it was getting late in the day but decided to have a quick little detour on the way back to look at the little dolmen symbol marked on the map. I ended up spending quite a long time here it’s suddenly become one of my favourite little megalithic sites. I was even moved to just sit on one of the rocks at the end and do a little drawing.
Menhir de Moncorbeau
Trip No.202 Entry No.22 Date Added: 26th Mar 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Mayenne (53))
Visited: Yes on 24th Apr 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 4
Menhir de Moncorbeau submitted by TheCaptain on 7th May 2005. Moncorbeau menhir, Couesmes-Vaucé, Mayenne.
This menhir is found in a field just to the north of the village beside a little stream, and is probably more than 2 metres tall. There are a few other pieces of stone nearby, which may have been broken from the menhir.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: This menhir is found in a field just to the north of the village on the road to Vaucé beside a little stream and is probably more than 2 metres tall. There are a few other pieces of stone nearby which may have been broken from the menhir.
Dolmen de la Pierre (Hercé)
Trip No.202 Entry No.25 Date Added: 26th Mar 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Mayenne (53))
Visited: Yes on 24th Apr 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 3
Dolmen de la Pierre (Hercé) submitted by TheCaptain on 7th May 2005. La Pierre dolmen, Hercé, Mayenne.
This is a simple dolmen with a large capstone supported by several small uprights in a field just in front of a farmhouse. Access to the dolmen was not available at the time of my visit, as it was in a field of young cows.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: This small dolmen can be found a few hundred metres to the south of the D33 road turning first left travelling westwards from Hercé. It is a simple dolmen with a large capstone supported by several small uprights in a field just in front of a farmhouse. Access to the dolmen was not available at the time of my visit as it was in a field of young cows but there was a signpost towards it as if it is possible to get to it at other times.
Menhir dit la Pierre Saint-Siviard
Trip No.202 Entry No.23 Date Added: 26th Mar 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Mayenne (53))
Visited: Yes on 24th Apr 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 4
Menhir dit la Pierre Saint-Siviard submitted by TheCaptain on 7th May 2005. Menhir dit la Pierre Saint-Siviard, Le Pas, Mayenne.
Near L’Ervault on the is this smoothed menhir, 2.5 to 3 metres tall.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: Near L’Ervault on the D33 road from Ambrieres to Gorron this menhir can be found a few hundred metres north of the road up the trackway from the roadside cross. It is a smoothed menhir 2.5 to 3 metres tall in a little open area between fields used for storage of wood and other farm items.
Clivay Menhir
Trip No.202 Entry No.37 Date Added: 28th Mar 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Mayenne (53))
Visited: Yes on 30th Apr 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4
Clivay menhir submitted by TheCaptain on 8th May 2005. Clivay menhir, Chailland, Mayenne.
A 2.5 to 3 metre tall menhir in a splendid position near the l’Ernée river below a lovely castle/chateau on top of a bluebell filled wooded hillock.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: A 2.5 to 3 metre tall menhir in a splendid position near the l’Ernée river below a lovely castle/chateau on top of a bluebell filled wooded hillock. It looks as if the top may have been broken off. There are several other large blocks of stone around I wonder if this was once a large boulder that fell from the sort of tor that the chateau is built on that was modified into a menhir.
Menhir du Faix du Diable
Trip No.202 Entry No.38 Date Added: 28th Mar 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Mayenne (53))
Visited: Yes on 30th Apr 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 5
Menhir du Faix du Diable submitted by TheCaptain on 8th May 2005. Faix du Diable, Mayenne.
A massive menhir right beside the road, and standing in the ditch.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: A massive menhir right beside the road and standing in the ditch. It must be well over 4 metres tall 3 metres wide and over a metre thick and it looks to have been smoothed.
Broussardière Menhir
Trip No.202 Entry No.36 Date Added: 26th Mar 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Mayenne (53))
Visited: Yes on 29th Apr 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 4
Broussardière Menhir submitted by TheCaptain on 8th May 2005. La Broussardière menhir, Montaudin, Mayenne.
It is found near the the road from Larchamp to Montflaux, near a little pond beside a stream.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: This menhir is about 2.5 to 3 metres in height and about 1.5 metres in width. It is found just a few yards away from the side of the road from Larchamp to Montflaux near a little pond beside a stream and is easy to see despite the very frisky bullocks in the adjacent field trying to get at me!
La Chaise du Diable
Trip No.202 Entry No.42 Date Added: 28th Mar 2020
Site Type: Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Mayenne (53))
Visited: Yes on 30th Apr 2005
La Chaise du Diable submitted by TheCaptain on 9th May 2005. Le Gasseau Megaliths, or La Chaise du Diable, Sainte Gemmes-le-Robert, Mayenne.
These I could not determine fully, as I could not gain full access to either of the possible sites. It could be some large stones in a wooded area, or alternatively, and I think more likely, a large tor like hillock, with many stones scattered about on its slopes, many of which don’t look to be in natural positions.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: 2 kilometres east of the village of Sainte Gemmes- le-Robert are marked two dolmens or megalithic monuments on my ign map one north and the other south of a little crossroads. The southern one I could not determine fully as I could not gain full access to any of the possible sites. It could be some large stones in a wooded area or alternatively and I think more likely another large tor like hillock with many stones scattered about on its slopes many of which don’t look to be in natural positions.
Pierre Aigue, Richebourg
Trip No.202 Entry No.43 Date Added: 28th Mar 2020
Site Type: Passage Grave
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Mayenne (53))
Visited: Yes on 30th Apr 2005
Pierre Aigue, Richebourg submitted by TheCaptain on 9th May 2005. Pierre Aigue, Richebourg Mayenne.
A nice looking allée couverte down near a stream seen across a large field. There were no signs and I couldn’t see how to get to it without crossing fences and fields.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: Allée couverte down near a stream seen across a large field near Richebourg farmhouse. There were no signs and I couldn’t see how to get to it. The remains of what I saw looked quite long and made from large rounded brown stones.
Menhir de la Chablère
Trip No.202 Entry No.32 Date Added: 26th Mar 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Mayenne (53))
Visited: Yes on 29th Apr 2005
Menhir de la Chablère submitted by TheCaptain on 9th May 2005. Les Bellobières menhir, Oisseau, Mayenne.
I couldnt be quite sure what there is here, although a menhir is marked on my ign map.
Perhaps I completely missed it, maybe there is a ruinous allée couverte here, or perhaps the menhir has had a field clearance cairn made around it.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: Either I missed this menhir marked on my ign map or else there is a ruinous allée couverte here or perhaps the menhir is broken and had a field clearance cairn made around it.
Bignon Dolmen
Trip No.202 Entry No.50 Date Added: 28th Mar 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Mayenne (53))
Visited: Yes on 1st May 2005. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 3 Access 4
Bignon Dolmen submitted by TheCaptain on 10th May 2005. Bignon dolmen, Niort-la-Fontaine, Mayenne.
A little Mayenne allée couverte still largely within its mound.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: A little Mayenne allée couverte still largely within its mound but its all falling down and a bit of a wreck. However it is now living in a little fenced off area and is signposted from the hamlet and included on a couple of mapped and signposted walks from the village.
Only one capstone 2.5 m by 2 m remains on its supports but a couple more can be seen. The main chamber is orientated 080° and several side slabs can be seen sticking out of the mound which is approximately rectangular 11 metres long 6 metres wide and up to 2 metres in height.
Dolmen des Iles
Trip No.202 Entry No.46 Date Added: 28th Mar 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Pays de la Loire:Mayenne (53))
Visited: Yes on 30th Apr 2005. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 2 Access 4
Dolmen des Iles submitted by TheCaptain on 10th May 2005. Dolmen des Iles, Sainte Suzanne, Mayenne.
A wrecked dolmen just east of the dolmen des Erves.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: A wrecked dolmen situated atop a small hillock in a field just east of the dolmen des Erves. I didn’t enter the field to get a close look.