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<< Our Photo Pages >> Les Grises Pierres - Standing Stones in France in Normandie:Manche (50)

Submitted by theCaptain on Saturday, 16 October 2010  Page Views: 5227

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Les Grises Pierres
Country: France Département: Normandie:Manche (50) Type: Standing Stones
Nearest Town: Valognes  Nearest Village: Montaigu-la-Brisette
Latitude: 49.564800N  Longitude: 1.4118W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 2 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 4

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Les Grises Pierres
Les Grises Pierres submitted by TheCaptain : The larger of Les Grises Pierres used to stand with its small end into the ground. It was said to turn three times on Christmas Eve. (Vote or comment on this photo)
On the slope of the conical Montaigu hill, behind the ancient hilltop church within its embanked circular churchyard, two neighbouring stones once stood, seperated by the old trackway "la chasse des fosses".

I have found that these stones still exist, although now both fallen and becoming lost and buried underneath the growing vegetation and falling earth from the talus / embanked hedgerows at the edge of the ancient trackway.

The first stone I found, relatively easily as it is close to the modern trackway, is the larger and most southerly of the two. It is about two metres long, up to 1.3 metres wide and of tapered section up to half a metre thick. It consists of a grey puddingstone conglomerate, mostly a smooth consistency one face, much more pebbley the other. It is recorded that it used to stand with its small end into the ground. Legends say that it turns three times on Christmas Eve.

The second stone was much harder to find, as it was almost completely buried, and is about 25 metres northeast from its companion along the trackway under the growth of the uphill side talus / hedgerow. It is slightly smaller than its mate, and again consists of a grey puddingstone conglomerate.

The stones can be found by following an ancient trackway downhill towards the northwest from the hilltop churchyard for a few hundred metres, and then taking the trackway which encircles the hill to the north. This is "La Chasse des Fosses", despite the modern name on maps etc. A hundred metres or so along this trackway the stones can be found in the undergrowth on the uphill side. The modern track is a new version of the old trackway made for modern times, and is outside the ancient hollow trackway on the downhill side. The ancient track can still be followed between the hedges besides this, and indeed does run between the stones.

There are several other smaller bits of puddingstone to be found beside the various trackways, and indeed several pieces strategically placed within the churchyard at the top of the hill.

On the top of the conical shaped hill here, is the old church and various other chapel constructions which are sited within the oval/circular churchyard. The churchyard is entirely enclosed within an embanked oval, consisting of a banked and perhaps ditched construction, with many large stones to be found within the banks. These embankments have growing within them many ancient yew trees.

I have to say that this is a tremendous place. The ancient church and chapels sited atop the hill enclosed in their circular enclosure with ancient yew tree ridden borders atop the banks and ditches give it a wonderful atmosphere. And with some very obviously ancient holloways and tracks around the hillside, the whole place just reeks of history. This place truly has a magic about it.

Note: Glad to report that these stones still exist, although fallen and very overgrown (less so after my recent visit). Site description and pictures now recieved. I cannot yet vouch for their spinning three times on Christmas night, as the fairies story tells.
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Les Grises Pierres
Les Grises Pierres submitted by TheCaptain : The first of Les Grises Pierres at Montaigu-la-Brisette can still be found beside the trackway "la chasse-des-fosses", downhill to the northwest from the hilltop churchyard. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Les Grises Pierres
Les Grises Pierres submitted by TheCaptain (Vote or comment on this photo)

Les Grises Pierres
Les Grises Pierres submitted by TheCaptain : A piece of puddingstone in the edge of a trackway leading away from the hilltop site. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Les Grises Pierres
Les Grises Pierres submitted by TheCaptain : Another piece of puddingstone in the churchyard on the top of the hill. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Les Grises Pierres
Les Grises Pierres submitted by TheCaptain : Another piece of puddingstone in the berm of a holloway leading away from the hilltop site.

Les Grises Pierres
Les Grises Pierres submitted by TheCaptain : The second of Les Grises Pierres at Montaigu-la-Brisette is more well hidden and buried than its partner. My Dad indicates its position beside "la chasse-des-fosses".

Les Grises Pierres
Les Grises Pierres submitted by TheCaptain : The second of Les Grises Pierres at Montaigu-la-Brisette. This one is more well hidden and buried than its partner.

Les Grises Pierres
Les Grises Pierres submitted by TheCaptain

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"Les Grises Pierres" | Login/Create an Account | 8 News and Comments
  
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Re: Les Grises Pierres by TheCaptain on Saturday, 16 October 2010
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On the slope of the conical Montaigu hill, behind the ancient hilltop church within its embanked circular churchyard, two neighbouring stones once stood, seperated by the old trackway "la chasse des fosses".

I have found that these stones still exist, although now both fallen and becoming lost and buried underneath the growing vegetation and falling earth from the talus / embanked hedgerows at the edge of the ancient trackway.

The first stone I found, relatively easily as it is close to the modern trackway, is the larger and most southerly of the two. It is about two metres long, up to 1.3 metres wide and of tapered section up to half a metre thick. It consists of a grey puddingstone conglomerate, mostly a smooth consistency one face, much more pebbley the other. It is recorded that it used to stand with its small end into the ground. Legends say that it turns three times on Christmas Eve.

The second stone was much harder to find, as it was almost completely buried, and is about 25 metres northeast from its companion along the trackway under the growth of the uphill side talus / hedgerow. It is slightly smaller than its mate, and again consists of a grey puddingstone conglomerate.

The stones can be found by following an ancient trackway downhill towards the northwest from the hilltop churchyard for a few hundred metres, and then taking the trackway which encircles the hill to the north. This is "La Chasse des Fosses", despite the modern name on maps etc. A hundred metres or so along this trackway the stones can be found in the undergrowth on the uphill side. The modern track is a new version of the old trackway made for modern times, and is outside the ancient hollow trackway on the downhill side. The ancient track can still be followed between the hedges besides this, and indeed does run between the stones.

There are several other smaller bits of puddingstone to be found beside the various trackways, and indeed several pieces strategically placed within the churchyard at the top of the hill.

On the top of the conical shaped hill here, is the old church and various other chapel constructions which are sited within the oval/circular churchyard. The churchyard is entirely enclosed within an embanked oval, consisting of a banked and perhaps ditched construction, with many large stones to be found within the banks. These embankments have growing within them many ancient yew trees.

I have to say that this is a tremendous place. The ancient church and chapels sited atop the hill enclosed in their circular enclosure with ancient yew tree ridden borders atop the banks and ditches give it a wonderful atmosphere. And with some very obviously ancient holloways and tracks around the hillside, the whole place just reeks of history. This place truly has a magic about it.

Visited Tuesday 12th October 2010.
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Re: Les Grises Pierres by Runemage on Friday, 15 October 2010
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It sounds an enchanting place, Captain.
These online translators' end product of Franglais usually manage to effectively mangle both languages.
If it helps anyone, E and O are Est et Ouest, East and West.



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Re: Les Grises Pierres by TheCaptain on Friday, 15 October 2010
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and by Google translator

Menhirs de Montaigu-la-Brisette.
These stops are adjacent stones, being in 2 parts that are separated only by a road called the eye; of ~ e-ditches. They are placed on the slope of the conical hill atop which stands the Church of Montague, a quarter of a mile to the touch of this church and near the road Saussemesnil. These stones stops, two in number, are to cobble conglomerate, whose mountain rock is formed. They call the gray-stone.
The first is the more remarkable, is 7 feet tall, 2 1 / 2 feet thick and six wide, 3 feet of earth, but it is narrower at the bottom. It is aplalic, and has 2 sides watching the E. and O., which are flat, although perpendicular and roughly rectangular, the top is rounded and thinner.
It is said that this stone turns three times at Christmas, and there are treasures hidden in the neighborhood, we tried to remove the devil. Whatever is was, they say, is helping a priest and 'one spellbook, and you would have found the treasure instead of using the rod of Aaron, we could not deprive him of his money. Fire-wisps are also seen in the neighborhood, following the same popular tradition. It is said that even among three standing stones, called the marriage of three princesses, marriage (a dot or princesses of these treasures are hidden. These views treasures are often linked to old monuments and several Druidic stones. We tried to Vauville, remove the treasure buried under the gallery covered this county. Montagues and Bricquebec A few people who saw me out the Druid stones, thought I was trying to raise the treasures hidden by the English, for c is attributed to the English here than where all the old monuments and Fouts things of unknown origin.
The other stone abutment Montaigu is unpublished, I have found the i4 June 1838. She is partly buried in the berm with a fence, which helped to make them stay ignored. Its height is 7 feet, width of 5, and its thickness, the same everywhere, 2 feet 1 / 2. Its two main faces, turned to the east. and O., are flat, parallel, vertical and almost rectangular, and are rounded at the top.
There is no doubt in the Channel, many other stone abutments remain ignored. Of all the monuments known as the Druid stones, standing stones are the most common species. These standing stones are found in almost all countries of the earth, and it would seem difficult to get them all back to a common origin. Use to build is lost in the mists of time.
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Re: Les Grises Pierres by TheCaptain on Friday, 15 October 2010
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which translated by Babel Fish gives...

Menhirs of Montaigu-la-Brisette.
These obstinate stones are close, being in 2 parts which are separate only by one way named the eye; e-des~fossés. They are placed on the slope of the conical mountain at the top of which l' is; church of Montaigu, with a half-quarter of mile with Concerning this church and close the way to Saussemesnil. These butted stones, two, are of conglomerate with large rollers, rock whose mountain is formed. They name the gray-stones.
The first which is most remarkable, is 7 feet top, 2 feet 1/2 d' thickness and 6 of width, with 3 feet of ground; but it is less broad with bottom. It is aplalic, and presents 2 faces which look at l' E. and l' O., which is quite plane, quite perpendicular and about rectangular; the top is round and less thick.
It is said that this stone turns three times to Christmas, and qu' there are treasures hidden with the surroundings, qu' d' was tested; to remove with the devil. Quoiqu' one was, says one, makes help d' a priest and d' ' a black book, and qu' one had found the place of the treasure by means of the rod d' Aaron, one could not charm his money to him. Themerry ones are also seen with the surroundings, according to the same popular tradition. One still tells that between three planted stones, named the marriage of the three princesses, the marriage, (has dowry or the treasures of these princesses are hidden there. These ideas of treasures are often attached to the old men monumens and several druidic stones. , In Vauville, d' was tested; to remove the treasure buried under the covered galerk of this commune. In Montaigu and Bricquebec, some people who transfer me to observe the druidic stones, accepted that I was raising treasures hidden by the English; because c' is to the English qu' where allots here all old the monumens and foutes the things which one is unaware of l' origin.
L' another obstinate stone of Assembled gu is new; I l' found I June 4, 1838. It is partly buried in the ground d' lifting; a fence, which contributed to make it remain been unaware of. Its height is of 7 feet, its width of 5, and its thickness, everywhere the same one, of 2 feet 1/2. Its two principal faces, rounds with l' E. and with l' O., are plane, parallel, vertical and almost rectangular; they are round by the top.
There undoubtedly exists in the English Channel, much d' other obstinate stones remained been unaware of. Of all the known monumens under the name of druidic stones, the menhirs are l' the most widespread species. These set up stones are in almost all the regions of the ground, and it appears difficult to make them all go back to a common origin. L' d' use; in setting up loses itself in the mists of time.
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Re: Les Grises Pierres by TheCaptain on Friday, 15 October 2010
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From "Annuaire du Département de la Manche, Volume 5, 1832".

Menhirs de Montaigu-la-Brisette.
Ces pierres butées sont voisines , étant dans 2 pièces qui ne sont séparées que par un chemin nommé la chas;e-des~fossés. Elles sont placées sur la pente de la montagne conique au sommet de laquelle se trouve l'église de Montaigu , à un demi-quart de lieue au Touchant de cette église et proche le chemin de Saussemesnil. Ces pierres butées, au nombre de deux , sont de poudingue à gros galets, roche dont la montagne est formée. Elles se nomment les grises-pierres.
La première qui est la plus remarquable , a 7 pieds de haut, 2 pieds 1/2 d'épaisseur et 6 de largeur, à 3 pieds de terre ; mais elle est moins large au bas. Elle est aplalic, et présente 2 faces qui regardent l'E. et l'O., qui sont bien planes, bien perpendiculaires et à peu près rectangulaires ; le haut en est arrondi et moins épais.
On dit que cette pierre tourne trois fois à Noël, et qu'il y a des trésors cachés aux environs , qu'on a essayé d'enlever au diable. Quoiqu'on se fût, dit-on, fait aider d'un prêtre et d''un grimoire, et qu'on eût trouvé la place du trésor au moyen de la verge d'Aaron, on ne put lui ravir son argent. Des feux-follets se voient aussi aux environs, suivant la même tradition populaire. On raconte encore que entre trois pierres plantées , nommées le mariage des trois princesses , le mariage , (a dot ou les trésors de ces princesses y sont cachés. Ces idées de trésors se rattachent souvent aux vieux monumens et à plusieurs pierres druidiques. On a essayé , à Vauville, d'enlever le trésor enterré sous la galerk couverte de cette commune. A Montaigu et à Bricquebec , quelques personnes qui me virent observer les pierres druidiques, crurent que je cherchais à lever des trésors cachés par les Anglais ; car c'est aux Anglais qu'où attribue ici tous les anciens monumens et foutes les choses dont on ignore l'origine.
L'autre pierre butée de Montai gu est inédite ; je l'ai trouvée le i4 juin 1838. Elle est en partie enterrée dans la levée de terre d'une clôture , ce qui a contribué à la faire rester ignorée. Sa hauteur est de 7 pieds , sa largeur de 5, et son épaisseur , partout la même, de 2 pieds 1/2. Ses deux faces principales , tournées à l'E. et à l'O., sont planes, parallèles, verticales et presque rectangulaires ; elles sont arrondies par le haut.
Il existe sans doute dans la Manche, beaucoup d'autres pierres butées restées ignorées. De tous les monumens connus sous le nom de pierres druidiques, les menhirs sont l'espèce la plus répandue. Ces pierres érigées se trouvent dans presque toutes les contrées de la terre, et il paraîtrait difficile de les faire toutes remonter à une origine commune. L'usage d'en ériger se perd dans la nuit des temps.
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Re: Les Grises Pierres by TheCaptain on Wednesday, 13 October 2010
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Glad to report that these stones still exist, although fallen and very overgrown (less so after my visit today). I shall report and send picture in due course. I cannot yet vouch for their spinning three times on Christmas night, as the fairies story tells.

While writing, I have to say that this is a tremendous place. The ancient church and chapels sited atop the hill enclosed in their circular enclosure with ancient yew tree ridden borders atop the banks and ditches. And with some very obviously ancient holloways and tracks around the hillside. This place has a magic about it.
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