Phil Watson
@frenchmegaliths.bsky.social
Field work in Iraq for 5 years, 34 years curating ancient Egyptian, Near Eastern, Pre-Columbian American and Prehistoric antiquities. Since retiring have been publishing my collection of old French postcards of Megaliths (see pinned post).
Pinned
Volumes 1-9 available on Amazon sites at £10.99 each (or local currency equivalent plus any taxes).
In the early 1900s the 18m long allée couverte of Coat-Mez in Trévou-Tréguignec (Côtes-d’Armor) was being re-used as a barn by a smartly dressed dairy farmer judging from this card by Emile Hamonic in St-Brieuc. #TombTuesday.
November 11, 2025 at 8:41 AM
In the early 1900s the 18m long allée couverte of Coat-Mez in Trévou-Tréguignec (Côtes-d’Armor) was being re-used as a barn by a smartly dressed dairy farmer judging from this card by Emile Hamonic in St-Brieuc. #TombTuesday.
The war memorial in Le Vieux-Bourg (Côtes-d’Armor) was created in 1924 using a fallen menhir from near St-Gildas and a statue made by Charles-Henri Pourquet. The menhir was moved on a cart drawn by 24 oxen. #RemembranceDay.
November 11, 2025 at 8:30 AM
The war memorial in Le Vieux-Bourg (Côtes-d’Armor) was created in 1924 using a fallen menhir from near St-Gildas and a statue made by Charles-Henri Pourquet. The menhir was moved on a cart drawn by 24 oxen. #RemembranceDay.
The centre pieces of the monument aux morts in Plozévet (Finistère) were a displaced and fallen menhir and a statue by the sculptor René Quillivec. It was inaugurated on 12th December 1922. #RemembranceDay. Card by Villard in Quimper.
November 10, 2025 at 7:59 AM
The centre pieces of the monument aux morts in Plozévet (Finistère) were a displaced and fallen menhir and a statue by the sculptor René Quillivec. It was inaugurated on 12th December 1922. #RemembranceDay. Card by Villard in Quimper.
Several war memorials in France use displaced menhirs as a centre piece. This one in Quiberon erected in 1921 used a menhir which originally stood on the Point of Beg er-Lann. #RemembranceSunday #StandingStoneSunday.
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Several war memorials in France use displaced menhirs as a centre piece. This one in Quiberon erected in 1921 used a menhir which originally stood on the Point of Beg er-Lann. #RemembranceSunday #StandingStoneSunday.
This view of the V-shaped passage grave on the SW corner of the alignments at Kermario in Carnac was taken from the bend in the road before the railings were erected by local archaeologist Le Rouzic. It was in print by 1903 and remained so for over 25 years.
November 8, 2025 at 9:10 AM
This view of the V-shaped passage grave on the SW corner of the alignments at Kermario in Carnac was taken from the bend in the road before the railings were erected by local archaeologist Le Rouzic. It was in print by 1903 and remained so for over 25 years.
The dolmen of La Pierre Levée near Le Bras in St-Sulpice-les-Feuilles (Haute-Vienne) has a 3.6m long capstone; a groove across the top is probably from quarrymen trying to split it. This card by a publisher with the initials P.M. c.1913.
November 7, 2025 at 8:19 AM
The dolmen of La Pierre Levée near Le Bras in St-Sulpice-les-Feuilles (Haute-Vienne) has a 3.6m long capstone; a groove across the top is probably from quarrymen trying to split it. This card by a publisher with the initials P.M. c.1913.
The menhir known as La Demoiselle de Rhuis in Rhuis (Oise) is a little over 3m tall. In 1764 it was recorded as part of a group of six menhirs; by 1789 there were only two and one of those was destroyed in 1793. This card pre-1904.
November 6, 2025 at 8:25 AM
The menhir known as La Demoiselle de Rhuis in Rhuis (Oise) is a little over 3m tall. In 1764 it was recorded as part of a group of six menhirs; by 1789 there were only two and one of those was destroyed in 1793. This card pre-1904.
La Pierre Levée in St-Fort-sur-le-Né (Charente) has a 6x3m chamber with a 40-ton capstone resting on 3 tall orthostats with lower slabs between. In folklore it was built by the Virgin. This card by Nouvelles Galeries was in print by 1905.
November 5, 2025 at 8:26 AM
La Pierre Levée in St-Fort-sur-le-Né (Charente) has a 6x3m chamber with a 40-ton capstone resting on 3 tall orthostats with lower slabs between. In folklore it was built by the Virgin. This card by Nouvelles Galeries was in print by 1905.
The passage grave at La Barbière in Crossac (Loire-Atlantique) has a 20-ton 4x3m capstone over the chamber still supported on 3 orthostats; the others have been robbed. Two slipped capstones and some supports still survive from the ruined passage. #TombTuesday.
November 4, 2025 at 8:49 AM
The passage grave at La Barbière in Crossac (Loire-Atlantique) has a 20-ton 4x3m capstone over the chamber still supported on 3 orthostats; the others have been robbed. Two slipped capstones and some supports still survive from the ruined passage. #TombTuesday.
Next to La Chapelle N.D. de Lorette in Le Quillio (Côtes-d’Armor) there are 2 rows of stones which were the long sides of a tertre tumulaire, a type of low tumulus. The stone from the short sides have gone. Card by Hamonic c.1908.
November 3, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Next to La Chapelle N.D. de Lorette in Le Quillio (Côtes-d’Armor) there are 2 rows of stones which were the long sides of a tertre tumulaire, a type of low tumulus. The stone from the short sides have gone. Card by Hamonic c.1908.
For #StandingStoneSunday this week we have one of the Finistère giants – the 6.6m tall menhir of Kerhouézel in Porspoder which has been smoothed over most of its surface. Card by Andrieu in Morlaix c.1904.
November 2, 2025 at 8:25 AM
For #StandingStoneSunday this week we have one of the Finistère giants – the 6.6m tall menhir of Kerhouézel in Porspoder which has been smoothed over most of its surface. Card by Andrieu in Morlaix c.1904.
The site of Mané-Bras at Kervilor in La Trinité-sur-Mer (Morbihan) is one of the few sites in Bretagne which has multiple passage tombs (in this case 3) set in a single long oval mound. Excavations in the late C19 and 1927 produced a rich array of finds.
November 1, 2025 at 8:35 AM
The site of Mané-Bras at Kervilor in La Trinité-sur-Mer (Morbihan) is one of the few sites in Bretagne which has multiple passage tombs (in this case 3) set in a single long oval mound. Excavations in the late C19 and 1927 produced a rich array of finds.
Happy #Halloween from the Arch-Druid of Menez-Hom on the simple dolmen of Menez-Lié in St-Nic (Finistère). One of my favourites.
October 31, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Happy #Halloween from the Arch-Druid of Menez-Hom on the simple dolmen of Menez-Lié in St-Nic (Finistère). One of my favourites.
I wonder if the distant figures on this card of the alignments at Menec in Carnac (Morbihan) “by moonlight” were out practising their #Halloween2025 trick or treating skills….
October 30, 2025 at 7:27 AM
I wonder if the distant figures on this card of the alignments at Menec in Carnac (Morbihan) “by moonlight” were out practising their #Halloween2025 trick or treating skills….
Looks like the Mother of the Fairies among the alignments at Menec in Carnac (Morbihan) is all ready for a #Halloween2025 party. Card by MTIL c.1909.
October 29, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Looks like the Mother of the Fairies among the alignments at Menec in Carnac (Morbihan) is all ready for a #Halloween2025 party. Card by MTIL c.1909.
La Pierre Levée in Janville-sur-Juine (Essonne) has a 4.7x4m capstone resting on a broad orthostat on the north side, 4 smaller ones on the south side and 2 terminal slabs. There are traces of a ruined antechamber. Card by ELD c. 1905. #TombTuesday.
October 28, 2025 at 9:09 AM
La Pierre Levée in Janville-sur-Juine (Essonne) has a 4.7x4m capstone resting on a broad orthostat on the north side, 4 smaller ones on the south side and 2 terminal slabs. There are traces of a ruined antechamber. Card by ELD c. 1905. #TombTuesday.
The dolmen angevin of Vaon in Trois-Moutiers Vienne has a broken and partly collapsed capstone on 5 orthostats covering a 6x2m chamber; a 6th orthostat has fallen into the chamber. Two orthostats for the portal entrance survive but not the lintel.
October 27, 2025 at 7:22 AM
The dolmen angevin of Vaon in Trois-Moutiers Vienne has a broken and partly collapsed capstone on 5 orthostats covering a 6x2m chamber; a 6th orthostat has fallen into the chamber. Two orthostats for the portal entrance survive but not the lintel.
The menhir of Chevanou at La Croterie in Chauvé (Loire-Atlantique) is over 4m tall and 3.5m wide at the base of the broad face. Card by Chapeau in Nantes c.1911. #StandingStoneSunday.
October 26, 2025 at 9:10 AM
The menhir of Chevanou at La Croterie in Chauvé (Loire-Atlantique) is over 4m tall and 3.5m wide at the base of the broad face. Card by Chapeau in Nantes c.1911. #StandingStoneSunday.
La Roche aux Fées in Essé (Ille-et-Vilaine) was constructed from over 40 blocks of schist, the biggest estimated at 45 tons, from a source 4km away. In one tradition it was built by fairies who carried a block under each arm and one on their head.
October 25, 2025 at 8:14 AM
La Roche aux Fées in Essé (Ille-et-Vilaine) was constructed from over 40 blocks of schist, the biggest estimated at 45 tons, from a source 4km away. In one tradition it was built by fairies who carried a block under each arm and one on their head.
The menhir near Roquinarc’h in Saint-Rivoal (Finistère) is known as La Roche du Diable and stands 2.5m tall. This card was published by Joncour in nearby Brasparts; not sure he could have persuaded me to sit on top!
October 24, 2025 at 7:37 AM
The menhir near Roquinarc’h in Saint-Rivoal (Finistère) is known as La Roche du Diable and stands 2.5m tall. This card was published by Joncour in nearby Brasparts; not sure he could have persuaded me to sit on top!
The site of Mané-Lud in Locmariaquer (Morbihan) is an 8x50m Carnac mound with a P-shaped passage grave added on the W end; a 5m long passage leads to a chamber covered with an 8x4m capstone.
October 23, 2025 at 7:27 AM
The site of Mané-Lud in Locmariaquer (Morbihan) is an 8x50m Carnac mound with a P-shaped passage grave added on the W end; a 5m long passage leads to a chamber covered with an 8x4m capstone.
The simple Dolmen du Parc in St-Nectaire (Puy-de-Dôme) has a 3.5x2.4m capstone on 4 low orthostats and a terminal slab. This anonymous card c.1913. #TombTuesday.
October 21, 2025 at 7:25 AM
The simple Dolmen du Parc in St-Nectaire (Puy-de-Dôme) has a 3.5x2.4m capstone on 4 low orthostats and a terminal slab. This anonymous card c.1913. #TombTuesday.
The menhir of La Pierre de Gargantua in Neaufles-Auvergny (Eure) is 3.5m tall. It is one of several menhirs which in popular traditions were seen as being whetstones used by Gargantua to sharpen his scythe. This card by Trouvé c.1905.
October 20, 2025 at 7:32 AM
The menhir of La Pierre de Gargantua in Neaufles-Auvergny (Eure) is 3.5m tall. It is one of several menhirs which in popular traditions were seen as being whetstones used by Gargantua to sharpen his scythe. This card by Trouvé c.1905.
La Grande Pierre Levée de La Bretellière in St-Macaire-en-Mauges (Maine-et-Loire) is the tallest in the département at 6.2m. This card by Freulon in Beaupréau c.1905. #StandingStoneSunday.
October 19, 2025 at 7:58 AM
La Grande Pierre Levée de La Bretellière in St-Macaire-en-Mauges (Maine-et-Loire) is the tallest in the département at 6.2m. This card by Freulon in Beaupréau c.1905. #StandingStoneSunday.
The dolmen angevin of La Frébouchère in Le Bernard (Vendée) has an 8x3.5m chamber covered by a single capstone now broken in two. Card by Vincent Le Bihan c.1914.
October 18, 2025 at 7:47 AM
The dolmen angevin of La Frébouchère in Le Bernard (Vendée) has an 8x3.5m chamber covered by a single capstone now broken in two. Card by Vincent Le Bihan c.1914.