“What is the name of this mysterious stone?” You may wonder, standing in front of it. The Menhir de la Pierre aux Moines, a long, grey boulder rises from the ground near the entrance to the Princé forest. Imagine it standing tall, a silent sentinel, watching over the passing centuries. It is a true relic of the past, dating back thousands of years to the Neolithic period. A towering presence, it is all that remains of a different era in French history. Imagine a world without modern conveniences, bustling cities, or even the towering Eiffel Tower that dominates the Paris landscape today. Imagine a time of simple tools and the awe of a prehistoric world. The menhir wasn’t always in this spot, though. Folklore says it was cast by the legendary Gilles de Rais, a man who became as famous for his dark history as he ever was for his wealth. Stories about Gilles, the Baron of Retz, and his castle in nearby Princé forest are well known. He was known for his extravagant lifestyle, his military exploits, and his later fall from grace, leading to his execution for crimes against children. This powerful, enigmatic man, who cast stones at his attackers, is said to have thrown the Menhir de la Pierre aux Moines with such force that it became stuck in the ground. The legend is perhaps a reflection of both the brute strength associated with de Rais and the enduring power of the menhir. It certainly adds an intriguing layer to the history of this ancient relic.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.