The Colossal Dolmen de Bagneux

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By Derek Olson

The Dolmen de Bagneux is a megalithic structure located in the town of Bagneux, near Saumur in the Loire Valley of France. Amongst the 4,500 dolmens scattered throughout France, it is the largest, if not in all of Europe. It measures approximately 61 feet in length, 13 feet in height and is 75 feet long. Dating back to the Neolithic period, it is approximately 5000 years old.

The dolmen consists of massive stone slabs, the largest of which weigh 86 tons. Due to its colossal size and craftsmanship, one has to wonder if it was originally constructed as a tomb for ancient royalty or perhaps even a large group ruling elite? However, no burials were discovered during the 1775 excavations, which have led to theories that it may not have been a burial chamber at all.

The giant tertiary sandstone flagstones which make up the monument were transported from the surrounding area. It is thought that over the ages, the dirt mound that once cover the stones worn away revealing the stone framework we see today.

The dolmen is composed of an intact chamber and a damaged porch. The chamber is almost rectangular, only a little narrower on the entrance side. It is made of a single bottom flagstone, 4 supports on the northern side, 4 on the southern side, 4 covering stones and 2 flagstones framing the door.

The support in the middle of the chamber does not seem to actually support anything, and is possibly what is left of a dividing wall. Such walls are common among the dolmens of Anjou. The chamber is thus made of 15 flagstones and two wedging stones. Additional wedging stones are possibly still buried.