Menhir d'Aire-Peyronne, Standing stone in Saint-Raphaël, France
The menhir d'Aire-Peyronne is an upright stone made of red porphyry that rises from the hillsides above Saint-Raphaël. This structure stands roughly 1.83 meters tall and 0.50 meters wide, positioned near a mountain pass in a region where blue porphyry stones shape the landscape.
This megalithic stone dates to the Neolithic period, over 5000 years ago, when people raised such stones for rituals and burials. In 1910 it received formal protection as a historical monument, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
The southeastern face bears around 200 cup marks that reveal how prehistoric people engaged in ritual practices at this spot. These marks show a spiritual connection to the stone that mattered deeply to ancient communities.
This stone is accessible via a marked blue trail from the Cap Esterel parking area, with a walk of roughly 30 minutes. Visitors should know the route passes through woodland and requires decent footwear and some time for hiking.
The stone sits in an area known for blue porphyry deposits, which makes this region geologically distinctive. Few visitors notice that the reddish tone of this menhir sets it apart from the surrounding stones.
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