Menhir de Kerloas
Why take advantage?
Dating back some 4,000 years, the Kerloas menhir is, until proven otherwise, the highest megalith currently standing. It lies in the countryside between Plouarzel and Saint Renan, surrounded by fields, in a particularly tranquil setting.
. Kerloas known as "le bossu" or "an tort"
Its height above the natural ground is 9.50 m. However, the original height of this monolith was much greater, probably in excess of 10 m, because in the 18th century it was struck by lightning, which cut off the top part, and the main pieces lying at its foot were used, one to make a trough, the other as a field entrance stone. The latter has now been converted into a lawn ornament at the neighbouring farm.
. Kerloas, France's (and the world's) HIGHEST menhir
The menhir's circumference, at ground level, is 6.20 m; at 1.20 m height it is 6.70 m; at 3.65 m it is 6.96 m, then the stone becomes thinner; at 5 m, the circumference is 6.45 m and at 6 m it is 5.95 m. The weight of the menhir is estimated at 150 tonnes.
. Legends
Nicknamed "le bossu" or "an tort" because of the two humps on either side of the menhir. The two 30-centimeter protrusions were once the object of a fertility rite. Newlyweds came naked to rub their bellies against the bumps of the menhir, the wife on one side, the husband on the other. The man was certain of having male offspring, the woman of ruling her husband as she pleased.
In 1911, Guénin also reported that the megalith was reputed to have healing powers, and that sick people secretly came to rub themselves against the menhir's bumps in the hope of being cured. The same author also tells us that it was a "good woman" who brought it in her apron... Others attribute it to Gargantua, who placed it along with all the other granite blocks that dot the fields of Plouarzel, to take revenge on the parishioners for feeding him nothing but porridge.
The legend also tells of a hidden treasure, visible only on Christmas Eve. The legend says that at the first stroke of midnight, the menhirs ran to the ocean to drink. But by the time the twelfth stroke sounded, they were already back in their place, stoic, immobile, impervious to the ravages of time. And woe betide the unwary who, dazzled by the unveiled riches, had forgotten the hour; they were crushed...
Classified as a historic monument on September 25, 1883
Rates
Open all year round
Menhir de Kerloas
29810 Plouarzel