The largest Menhir – Grand Menhir Brisé – Amazing Stoneworks
I have always loved Menhir. Whether this is because of their connection to Asterix’s best pal, the menhir sculptor Obelix or because of their form signalling towards a time long forgotten. Indeed, it seems that the theories that abound trying to explain the significance of the menhirs are almost as numerous as the stones themselves.
Menhirs are large upright standing stones, which can be found singularly or as part of much larger groups. They are spread across Europe, Africa and Asia, though most densely in Ireland, Britain and Brittany where the Grand Menhir Brisé resides.
Though the Grand Menhir Brisé no longer stands, it would once have been 20 metres in length and weigh at least 350 tons. The stone is estimated to have been erected in 5000bc and may have been part of an enormous grouping of standing stones, though for obvious reasons, this cannot be proven.
