Pierre Fiche menhir, Neolithic menhir in Simandre-sur-Suran, France.
Pierre Fiche is an upright stone block from the Neolithic period, rising approximately 3.8 meters high on private land near the Suran River. The monument spans about 1.3 meters in length and half a meter across at its base.
The stone received protected monument status in 1888, making it the oldest officially classified structure in the Ain department. This recognition reflected authorities' understanding of the archaeological importance of such megalithic structures in the region.
The name translates to "pointed stone" in French. Local stories speak of three fairies who turned spinning wheels into stones, with this menhir and two other now-vanished stones being part of that tale.
The menhir stands on private property but can be viewed from a nearby hiking trail that runs along the Suran River. Visitors should respect the private land and observe from the path.
Research suggests this stone dates from the Middle Neolithic period, roughly between 4200 and 3600 BCE. This timeframe connects it to similar structures discovered in the nearby Burgundy region.
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