Madeleine Dolmen

Gennes, France

Dolmen de la Madeleine is an isolated dolmen located in a private field on the outskirts of the town of Gennes. It was probably built between 5 000-2 000 BC. There are a number of these sites in the area - but this one is said to be the largest. Like many of the larger dolmens, it has subsequently been re-used, in this case to house a bread oven. Although the bread oven is no longer in use as the dolmen is now a classified national monument, you can still see the remains of the oven.

References:

Archaeology Travel

Address

Route de Doué 12, Gennes, France

See all sites in Gennes

Details

Founded: 5000-2000 BC
Category: Cemeteries, mausoleums and burial places in France
Historical period: Prehistoric Age (France)

More Information

www.archaeology-travel.com

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Cunault Abbey Church (2,6 km)
Gennes Amphitheatre (0,5 km)
Glanfeuil Abbey (7,6 km)

Fontevraud Abbey (27,4 km)
Cháteau de Angers (28,9 km)
Château de Chinon (40 km)
Musée des Blindés (15,7 km)
Château de Saumur (14,8 km)
Angers Cathedral (28,6 km)
Maison d'Adam (28,5 km)
Museé des Beaux Arts (28,5 km)
Château de Montreuil-Bellay (22,9 km)

User Reviews

Bas Visser (8 months ago)
It is beautiful from the outside and there is also some information to read about it. But unfortunately it has become overgrown inside.

arno v (2 years ago)
800 m from the Gallo-Roman ruins, very beautiful dolmen ?

Alan Ferguson (3 years ago)
It just popped up on the map so we investigated. Turns out to be a very ancient dwelling. There's even a plaque with illustrations how they laid the huge stones. Interesting.

Sébastien Flet Reitz (4 years ago)
A nice site, which I found impressive. Peaceful picnic even if a table is missing

Barbara Lounis (4 years ago)
Just outside the village. It doesn't seem like a place from which you can start a walk (to see) but is worth the detour. Its size is truly impressive.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright Following Hadrian

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople

The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.

Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.