Dolmen de Barzun

Trip No.205  Entry No.56  Date Added: 25th Oct 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Aquitaine:Pyrénées-Atlantiques 64)
Visited: Couldn't find

Log Text: My maps have nothing marked in detail as to the whereabouts of this dolmen, and I could find no details or signs to it in the village. Somehow I didn’t find this dolmen which I learned later is pretty much in the centre of the village in a little square. Doh !

Turoum-Bouchous Dolmen

Trip No.205  Entry No.58  Date Added: 25th Oct 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Aquitaine:Pyrénées-Atlantiques 64)
Visited: Couldn't find on 7th Sep 2005

Log Text: I couldn’t find any evidence on any maps I had, and asked at the tourist information office and national park centre, but nobody knew anything about this dolmen.

Tombe du Capitaine

Trip No.205  Entry No.250  Date Added: 13th Dec 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Auvergne:Cantal (15))
Visited: Yes on 26th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 3

Log Text: In a field to the west of the hamlet of Bouzentes, a few kilometres to the south of St Flour, by the D.116 road to Tanavelle can be found this dolmen. It's about 800 metres walk down a signposted track from the road, just at the western edge of the hamlet, and was in a field of cows (and a bull I belatedly noticed) when I visited. The single capstone, with cupules and engraved lines, sits on top of two side supports amongst a pile of loose stone in the middle of the field.

Uh Oh, time to go. The bull is getting quite inquisitive. Quick exit from the field over the fence, as far from Tauro as possible ! Well, I did have to come here, but I don't want it to become this Captain's tomb ! The dolmen is made from large basalt blocks, brought here from over a kilometre away. In excavations made in the 19th century, amongst the usual pottery sherds, flints and bones was found a polished axe. There are lovely big views all around from here.

Bargueyrac Menhir

Trip No.205  Entry No.256  Date Added: 13th Dec 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: France (Auvergne:Cantal (15))
Visited: Yes on 26th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: About half a kilometre further west along the D.990 road can be found this little menhir, right beside the road and with a little sign. Its only about 1.3 metres tall basalt, and in the past has obviously had something stuck on top, probably a cross, due to the hole which can be seen drilled into it.

La Table au Loup

Trip No.205  Entry No.255  Date Added: 13th Dec 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Auvergne:Cantal (15))
Visited: Yes on 26th Sep 2005. My rating: Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: West of the village of Sériers, along the new D.990 road towards Pierrefort, about 500 metres from the junction with the D.921 is a sign for the dolmen. It is then about an 800 metre walk along a signposted gravel trackway across marshy land before you reach the dolmen, or as I found, a fenced off plastic sheeting covered area! The dolmen was undergoing excavation, and apart from a large side slab sticking up out of the middle, and obvious remains of a mound, there was nothing I could see here.

Pierre Levée (Villedieu)

Trip No.205  Entry No.251  Date Added: 13th Dec 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: France (Auvergne:Cantal (15))
Visited: Yes on 26th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: Beside the D.44 road west of St Flour, near to the hamlet of Fraissinet can be found this megalithic collection of a standing stone and two dolmens, within 300 metres of each other. The menhir is about 2 metres tall, and it stands just to the west of the road. It consists of a nice lump of pointy topped basalt.

Pierre Levée dolmen 1 (Villedieu)

Trip No.205  Entry No.252  Date Added: 13th Dec 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Auvergne:Cantal (15))
Visited: Yes on 26th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: The remains of this dolmen can be found just to the east of the D.44 road, about 30 metres from the menhir. There is still quite a respectable mound of small stones, diameter about 12 metres, surrounding the remains of the dolmen, but the megalithic chamber has been largely destroyed, leaving not much more than a hollow in the centre of the tumulus. One large side slab and an entry stone are all that obviously remain in place.

Menhir de la Croix-Grosse

Trip No.205  Entry No.254  Date Added: 13th Dec 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: France (Auvergne:Cantal (15))
Visited: Yes on 26th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 4 Access 5

Log Text: This christianised menhir stands just on the western outskirts of the village of Sériers, and is signposted from there as Menhir Christianisée, and is along the road to Peyrelade (no doubt once home to its own megalith). There is a large basalt carved cross sat on top of a superb column of christalline basalt, octagonal and well over 2 metres high. With its cross, it stands a good 3.5 metres tall. This really is a lovely monument, the basalt column is perfectly upright, and always has been, its never been restored. Apparently the column must have been brought here from several kilometres away, so its obviously at a once very special place.

Bois-Grand Dolmen

Trip No.205  Entry No.257  Date Added: 13th Dec 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Auvergne:Cantal (15))
Visited: Yes on 26th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: Just to the south of the village of Les Ternes, the new D.921 road goes up a fairly steep hill. On the right, halfway up the hill is a little layby and picnic table, with a sign to this dolmen, which can then be found less than 50 metres up the trackway from the layby. It is right beside the road, and part of its mound of stones has been cut away. The dolmen has a large and thick capstone, 3.5 metres by 2.5 metres, sitting on top of a little chamber, 2m by 1m, which has two side slabs and a back stone still nicely in place. The capstone looks much too large for the rest of the dolmen ! Around the dolmen are lots of loose basalt stones, obviously one a part of its cairn.

Dolmen du Chausse

Trip No.205  Entry No.258  Date Added: 13th Dec 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Auvergne:Cantal (15))
Visited: Yes on 26th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: Signposted as tumulus from the village of Mons, just to the east of junction 28 of the A.75 Autoroute near to St Flour. The trackway leads you back over the A.75 and then about another 300 metres. It is probably possible to drive to it, but I parked and walked.

The little dolmen is still mostly contained within its large cairn of stones, except that it has been dug into from the southern side. The cairn is about 16 metres in diameter and 2 metres high, made of loose small volcanic rocks. The dolmen has a capstone 3m by 2m sat on top of a chamber 2m by 1m, with two side slabs but no obvious backstone.

The chamber is full of rocks, and opens southwards with fine views, spoiled slightly by the A.75 motorway screaming past ! A nice place to visit, with lots of yellow mullens growing on and around. Apparently there are many legends attached to this tomb, but I am not sure what any of them are.

Pierre Levée dolmen 2 (Villedieu)

Trip No.205  Entry No.253  Date Added: 13th Dec 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Auvergne:Cantal (15))
Visited: Yes on 26th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 3

Log Text: Unfortunately, this cannot be reached from its near neighbours, and instead it has to be walked to quite a distance (about 1 km) from a point where you start the walk to the Tombe du Capitaine. It's a pleasant walk along a well signposted track, and then across a hilltop field.

The dolmen is in very poor condition, basically one large side slab in a hollow in the centre of its tumulus. However, the tumulus is in fine condition, about 15 metres in diameter and up to 1.5 metres in height. Around the outside at certain places it seems to be encircled with a sort of stone slab walling. This is in a lovely spot, and was well worth the effort to get to. I wouldn't be surprised if there was once another dolmen in this mound.

Plateau de Mons

Trip No.205  Entry No.259  Date Added: 13th Dec 2020
Site Type: Barrow Cemetery Country: France (Auvergne:Cantal (15))
Visited: Saw from a distance on 26th Sep 2005

Log Text: On top of the plateau is a large collection of earthen barrows dating to the iron age which can be seen from the track.

Dolmen de Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe

Trip No.204  Entry No.197  Date Added: 24th Aug 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Auvergne:Haute-Loire (43))
Visited: Yes on 28th Jul 2005. My rating: Condition -1 Ambience 5 Access 3

Log Text: The 11th century Chapel St Michel is built on the ridiculously pointed site of the volcanic Aighuille. But it is built on top of the site of a previous chapel, which was said to have been built on top of a dolmen, or some other megalithic structure.

La Pierre-des-Fievres

Trip No.204  Entry No.198  Date Added: 24th Aug 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Auvergne:Haute-Loire (43))
Visited: Yes on 28th Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 1 Access 4

Log Text: The Cathedral of Puy-en-Velay is said to be built on the site of an ancient dolmen, part of which is still in existance as La Pierre des Fievres which is kept and presented near to one of the entrances. It is said that this stone is a part of the coverstone for the dolmen which stood in this sacred place for thousands of years before the coming of Christianity. It is believed that the dolmen was complete until the 9th century, when it was broken by a bolt of lightning, but that the Pilgrims to this place ensured that a part of it was kept here. The stone is highly venerated, and many miracles are attributed to it, including many which involve curing fever, after which it is named. For many years the stone was kept within the Cathedral, but then was put in a place outside so that ill people could have easier access to touch it. To this day, the Cathedral and a dolmen are a symbol of this town of Pilgrimmage, which is an important stopping place on the way of St James.

Freydefond Menhir

Trip No.204  Entry No.186  Date Added: 24th Aug 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: France (Auvergne:Puy-de-Dôme (63))
Visited: Yes on 25th Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: This is a superbly positioned menhir, made from a hexagonal block of crystalline volcanic basalt, up on top of the high hills overlooking St-Nectaire (of cheese fame) in the deep valley below, and with splendid views all around, except for the various trees and woods in places. It is now only about 1.5 metres tall, but the top has obviously been broken off, and indeed something has been cemented on to it at some point. This menhir is easily found down a trackway from the road above Sailles, and can be seen from quite long distances.

Saint Roch Menhir

Trip No.204  Entry No.185  Date Added: 24th Aug 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: France (Auvergne:Puy-de-Dôme (63))
Visited: Yes on 25th Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 3

Log Text: This menhir can be fairly easily found by following marked footpaths for a mile or so from St-Nectaire to Croix-St-Roche, high up on the hill, beside the track which passes from one valley to the next. It's about 2 metres tall, and made from a hexagonal block of crystalline volcanic basalt, the sort which they call orgues (organ pipes) round here. Very nice. If it weren't for all the trees, the views from here in many directions would be superb, with the Puy-de-Sancy mountain off to the west, across which are rolling lots of wet looking clouds ! Think I'd best get back.

Dolmen du Parc (Saint-Nectaire)

Trip No.204  Entry No.184  Date Added: 24th Aug 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Auvergne:Puy-de-Dôme (63))
Visited: Yes on 25th Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 3

Log Text: This is a pleasant dolmen, sat on a hillside within a sort of sports activity park above the thermal spa and roman baths of St-Nectaire (of cheese fame). It can be found easiest by following the path up the hillside from near to the art-deco Casino, or from other footpaths in the area.

The dolmen has a 3.5m by 2.5m capstone sat up high on five support stones, with a rectangular chamber below, and is made of volcanic blocks. It faces towards the east, which is strangely looking straight into the hillside.

It made me think how people have been in this place for so long, probably due to the hot springs in the valley just a little below. And people still come here to this day to spend time at the thermal spa, even with hot and cold running water everywhere.

Pierre Longue (Fohet)

Trip No.204  Entry No.189  Date Added: 24th Aug 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: France (Auvergne:Puy-de-Dôme (63))
Visited: Yes on 25th Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 4 Access 5

Log Text: This is a lovely menhir standing four and three quarter metres tall at the top of the high hills near the village of Fohet. Its obviously been fairly recently re-erected, as one side is all dirt covered from being on the ground, and there is a sign in the village pointing to "menhir couché"! The views from here are breathtaking in all directions. To the northwest the Chaine-des-Puys range of volcanoes, with Puy-de-Dome standing high above the others in the line of almost cartoon perfect cones. To the east there are long views over the hills and deep valleys, and to the south can be seen the other Auvergne mountains. To the southwest is Puy-de-Sancy, unfortunately today covered in clouds.

Dolmen du Lac (Le Cheix)

Trip No.204  Entry No.183  Date Added: 21st Aug 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Auvergne:Puy-de-Dôme (63))
Visited: Yes on 24th Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 3

Log Text: Blimey, it was an effort to get here from Mont Dore, along miles and miles of windy narrow roads in the mountains. From the hamlet of Le Cheix on the D.978 road, take the small lane to the south across the river and then winding up into the hills. Despite some trepidation, the camper van got through the narrow gaps between the buildings, and up the ferociously steep windy lanes. Eventually I came to a junction signposted Le Lac, managed to find a place to park, and got out and walked along this other lane for about half a kilometre.

The dolmen is squashed between a football pitch and a big holiday home, near to a lake. It has got itself a mound, and on top of the mound a 4 metre by 2.5 metre capstone sort of sits on several other stones, but it is all sort of collapsed, and not very high off the ground. It is not very well cared for either, with all sorts of junk piled up around it.

This is a nice place to be, but was it worth all the massive effort to get here ? After visiting the dolmen, I went to look for the Jonas Caves troglodite dwellings, which are way up in the hills beyond the dolmen. This basically consisted of climbing up the cliff in the camper van, first gear for several kilometres. What an absolutely fantastic view from above, with the house and lake seen right below, nestling in amongst all the volcanic cones. Superb.

Pierre-aux-Fées

Date Added: 18th Sep 2010
Site Type: Rock Art Country: France (Auvergne:Puy-de-Dôme (63))
Visited: Yes on 5th Sep 2006

Log Text: None