Pierre Saint-Julien, Prehistoric menhir near Saint-Julien Cathedral, Le Mans, France.
Pierre Saint-Julien is a menhir made of pink sandstone standing about 4.5 meters tall, located at the southwestern corner of Le Mans Cathedral. The monument has a distinctive central cavity and is now a protected historical site in the heart of the city.
The menhir was moved to its current location in 1778 after an older dolmen known as Pierre au Lait was destroyed. In 1889, the monument received official protection status, underscoring its importance to the city.
The central cavity in the stone has been worn smooth by local women over centuries, who touched it believing it would enhance their fertility. This practice shows how deeply people connected this place to their personal hopes.
The stone stands freely accessible outdoors beside the cathedral, so you can visit it at any time without needing a ticket. The monument sits in a busy part of the city where it is easy to find and can be combined with a visit to other nearby attractions.
The pink sandstone originates from the Eocene period and displays natural pink veining that sets it apart from other prehistoric stones. These geological features give visitors a glimpse into the nature of the region as it existed millions of years ago.
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