Pierre Ardoue, dolmen in Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines, France
Pierre Ardoue is a dolmen in Saint-Leger-en-Yvelines, an ancient burial chamber built from large stones located in a forest area near the village. The structure consists of upright stones supporting a flat capstone on top, forming a small chamber that measures roughly 10 feet long and nearly 12 feet wide.
The dolmen was built during the Neolithic period over 4000 years ago and likely served as a burial place or gathering spot for early communities. Since 1906 it has been officially protected as a historical monument, recognizing its importance to ancient French history.
Local folklore tells stories of spirits and ancient powers that supposedly built the stones long ago. These tales show how people in the region have made sense of the mysterious ancient structure and given it magical meanings over many generations.
The dolmen sits in a forest area along a walking trail that makes it easy to find and explore. There are no modern facilities on site, so bring water and wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven ground.
A portion of the capstone was broken off in the past, possibly after the site was used as shelter for animals in later centuries. The ruins of old buildings nearby suggest the dolmen stood isolated in the landscape rather than as part of a larger complex.
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