Pierre Longue menhir, Menhir in Le Croisic, France

Pierre Longue is a 2.40-metre menhir of granulite standing on the southern coastal road west of Le Croisic. Its rough grey surface is marked by a deep diagonal crease and patches of yellow-orange lichen, and it tapers toward a rounded top. It rises from pale sandy ground with grass and the sea behind it.

The stone was originally erected in prehistoric times but was toppled during World War II to make way for bunker construction. It was restored to standing position in the 1960s and has remained there ever since.

The menhir was Christianised: a cross flanked by two hearts is carved into the stone, now barely visible. In the 19th century the clergy still complained that young girls danced around the stone and tried to climb it to become fertile.

The menhir is freely accessible year-round with no entrance fee required. The site sits right along the coastal road and is easy to reach on foot, with parking available nearby in Le Croisic.

The stone once served sailors as a navigation landmark along the coast. Its tall, distinctive position made it an important reference point for those traveling by sea.