Cadran solaire de la Groirie, Sundial monument in Trangé, France

The Cadran solaire de la Groirie is a stone monument carved with thirty different sundials across its surfaces. The structure stands approximately 2.80 meters tall, with the south face containing the highest concentration of dials, including a book-shaped carved block that serves as a gnomon for eight timekeeping surfaces.

The sundial was originally installed at Château de la Groirie in Trangé during the 17th century before being moved to its current location. It received official historical monument status in 2002.

The north face preserves part of a Latin motto, of which only the words SUM SINE SOLE remain legible; the full text is recorded as SIMPLEX SUM SINE SOLE, NIHIL SINE LUMINE NULLUS. The inscription is not medieval: the sundial is documented at the Groirie estate from 1652, when Jacques Pousset de Montauban mentioned it. Traces of paint still cling to the stone.

The south side offers the best view of most of the dials and is a good starting point for viewing the monument. Different faces become visible at different times of day depending on sunlight, so morning or afternoon visits reveal different details.

Each side of the monument functions at different times of day because the dials are oriented for various sun positions throughout the year. The east and west faces each feature three concave dials that allow for subtle variations in measuring time.