Menhirs de Lespurit-Ellen, Megalithic site in Plovan, Brittany, France
The menhirs de Lespurit-Ellen are two Neolithic standing stones set in a small valley near Plovan, in Brittany. One stone stands upright at over 23 feet (7 meters) tall, while the other lies flat on the ground nearby, at a similar length.
The stones were raised during the Neolithic period, when people in this part of Brittany built large stone structures to mark places or hold ceremonies. They were classified as a historic monument in the early 20th century, giving them official protection.
The site is reached by a dirt path through a small oak forest, giving the impression of entering a hidden place. On the surface of the tallest stone, visitors sometimes notice natural shapes that resemble faces or figures, an effect known as pareidolia.
The site sits in the countryside and is reached on foot via a narrow dirt path, so sturdy footwear is a good idea. There is no fenced enclosure, so it can be visited at any time of year.
The two stones together form a kind of gateway, with the fallen menhir placed perpendicular to the upright one, suggesting this arrangement may have been intentional. Near the stream, there are also hollows carved into the rock that may have been used to collect water for ritual purposes.
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