MENHIR DE LA PIERRE BONDE

The menhir of the Pierre Bonde, 2m70 high, rises above the wet meadows of the Gédeau marshes. Pitre de Lisle recounts a legend told to him by a farmer who was working in the neighbouring field when he visited the menhir: “When Gargantua was building the Rochette (cromelech of Saint-Père-en-Retz), he was returning one evening, carrying a large stone on his shoulder, when he found a stream in front of him. He wanted to jump over it, but as he jumped, the stone slipped out of his grasp. It landed upright in the stream, stopping its flow. Little by little, the waters swelled and formed the marsh we see today, hence its name.” Another variant is reported by Chevas, who is said to have heard it in Corsept during a wake: “One day in the Gédeau marsh, a young woman, priestess of the islands, was carrying three stones. The story does not say why, but no doubt to atone for a great sin, for the stones were very heavy, as can be seen. One under each arm and the third on her head, she was walking slowly when she met one of her sisters who, after hearing her story, replied: -Wherever you go, at the end of your race, you will die”. -” So,” said the poor priestess, “if this is my fate, what’s the point of prolonging my suffering?” And spreading her arms and bending her head, she dropped her triple burden. The prophecy was fulfilled, for the priestess died immediately. We can assume that the priestess came from the Isle of Saint-Nicolas, an island which, according to legend, was inhabited by druidesses with cruel customs and morals. Our destination is rich in megaliths, find out more about them and their legends right here >>>Pets allowed