The town of Saumur lies on the River Loire in Northern France, and in the town itself stands the Dolmen de Bagneux. This is one of the largest dolmens to be found in France, and indeed in Europe. The dolmen is 23 metres long and the chamber itself measures 19 metres. Since 1889 it has been designated as an Historic Monument.
The dolmen was raised in the New Stone Age, about 6,000 to 4,000 years ago, and was used as a grave for a number of people. It consists of fifteen plates of local sandstone which came from a hill about 200-400 metres away near Bournard and Terrefort. The dolmen is orientated to the southeast.
The dolmen stands on private ground but can be visited for a small payment. Legends tell that it was built by fairies, druids or Goths.
Address
Dolmen de Bagneux 56 Rue du Dolmen 49400 Bagneux
47° 14′ 35″ N, 0° 05′ 41″ O
http://www.ledolmendebagneux.com/
Text Nadine Lemmers
Translation Alun Harvey
With thanks to Ed Oldeman for the photos
