Calvaire mégalithique de Louisfert

About

The megalithic calvary is a calvary located in Louisfert, in the Loire-Atlantique department, France. It was built in the 19th century by recovering megaliths from surrounding municipalities.

The Calvary was built in 1871 by Abbé Jacques Cotteux, then vicar and chaplain at the prison of Châteaubriant, on a land of which he was the owner. Obviously inspired by a similar calvary built between Zion-les-Mines and Lusanger, the building was erected with blocks of stone recovered in the surrounding communes (Saint-Vincent-des-Landes, Saint-Aubin-des-Châteaux, Lusanger, Treffieux), among which authentic menhirs and dolmens, who, according to Abbé Cotteux, were "remnants of a bloody cult. Old rocks lay scattered at the bottom of the fields. Our arms, with love, made it a calvary. Work of Bretons, good believers." In the context of the sacramental recharging of the 19th century, the Christianization of megaliths testifies to the Church's desire to integrate pagan stone worship into religious syncretism. The calvary was blessed by Bishop Fournier on 13 July 1872. In 1920, it was transferred to the commune...