Archaeological sites Pays De La Loire

Located south-east of Pornic, the dolmen of the Joselière is a funeral monument built around 3500 BC in the Middle Neolithic. It consists of a partially conserved quadrangular mound, approximately 12 metres apart. Consisting of a mass of flat stone stones, it is framed by two straight walls of dry stone, and contains a transeptée megalithic tomb (crossing of the side rooms and corridor) composed of four well-individualized quadrangular side chambers and served by an axial corridor whose entrance faces the south-east. It is accessible by the coastal road, about 200 metres from the beach of Joselière.

4 km from the village of Aubigné-Racan, this Gallo-Roman archaeological site allows you to admire vestiges of the most diverse and preserved buildings of the Sarthe. On this plain already occupied in the Gallo era, set in the second century after J.-C. a theatre of 3 000 places, a market-forum, a large temple and thermal baths. These monumental symbols of romanization will be active until the fourth century after J.-C. Excavated from 1975 by Mr. Lambert and Mr. Rioufreyt, this site has since been restored. It is currently owned by the General Council of La and is being promoted by the association Capra. In an accessible way for persons with reduced mobility and an illustrated signage guide the visitor to the discovery of ancient Sarthe.

Remarkable Mégalithe visible in forest. According to legend, the devil was responsible for building the «Bridge to the King» at night, at the exit of the ancient village of La. He brought the last stone and he had a good place to celebrate this in the cellars. Through the forest of Oisillière, he heard the rooster singing and announcing the day; he had to ask the stone and disappear… Today, turn around 7 times of mad stone without breathing. Legend says you will have a chance to review the devil. And climb up the rock, you will always find water…

On the site of Perthuis Churin, you can see the remains of the church of Sainte-Magdeleine, dating back to the th century. The first religious building was built towards the year 777 and was dedicated to Saint Magdeleine, patron of Barbechat. In 1769, the building was too old, a church was erected at the Bois Guillet at the location of the present church. She was blessed in 1771.

There is a Gallic mound nearby. Some writings speak of a plot of land in which the wife of a lieutenant of Jules Caesar would be founded, others of a feudal motte of the th century serving as a monitoring place to control passage into the valley.

This monument consists of blocks of scattered sandstone and slabs in place delimiting quite clearly its different parts. To the west, the main chamber is partially covered by an imposing white quartz block. It was excavated at the end of the th century. This dolmen is listed in the additional inventory of Historic Monuments. You can access the site from the coast trail.