Menhirs and dolmens in Avrillé
Did you know? The Communauté de communes Vendée Grand Littoral is home to one of the largest and most beautiful concentrations of megaliths in France. A vast site full of history to explore during your camping vacation in Avrillé. Situated at the crossroads of the Armorican Massif and the Aquitaine Basin, this area was indeed one of the cradles of early man, thanks to its relief and natural wealth.
Today, 80% of Vendée’s megaliths are located in the Vendée Grand Littoral Community of Communes. They are among the oldest in France, and some monuments are particularly impressive: the Roi des menhirs, near Avrillé, is 8m70 high. The Grand Menhir du Plessis rises to 7m50. Both are among the tallest megaliths in France. Also worth a visit is the Frébouchère dolmen, whose roof slab alone weighs 85 tonnes!
Several measures have been launched to promote and preserve this heritage. First and foremost, Terres Mégalithes, a program completed in 2018 that enhances the value of 17 monuments along a 63 km route that crosses 10 communes. The sites of certain megaliths are equipped with information panels describing their history and the myths associated with their discovery, as well as parking spaces and benches. Footpaths with orientation signs lead from one megalith to the next. For cycling enthusiasts, a cycle route has also been laid out, running from Longeville-sur-Mer to Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard via Le Bernard, Avrillé, Saint-Hilaire-la-Forêt and Jard-sur-Mer. It’s 33 km long and links up with the megalith loop thanks to specially adapted signage. All paths lead to the region’s essential historical heritage: on foot or by bike, all you have to do is set off from our 4-star campsite in Vendée!
