Menhir de Chancerons

Menhir de Chancerons stands on the edge of Vergisson, a small village in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, in the Saône-et-Loire department. Despite its name, this stone monument has a much more recent — and unexpectedly interesting — backstory than the prehistoric megaliths its name evokes.

What will you actually see?

The stone itself is a roughly two-metre-tall block that looks like a classic standing stone, but it isn't one. It was quarried from a natural rock outcrop at Bois-Rosier in the early 19th century and set up as the base for a cross, locally known as "la Croix de Chanceron," erected in the early 20th century. At the top of the stone you can still see the remains of a lead fixing once used to anchor that cross — the clearest physical clue that this is not an authentic prehistoric megalith but a later reuse of a quarried block.

Despite its relatively recent origin, the stone has been officially listed as a historic monument (monument historique) since 19 September 1958 — a status granted for its value as a piece of local heritage rather than for any prehistoric significance. The site is owned by the commune of Vergisson.

Nearby stands the Ciste du Bois Rosier, a megalithic burial site linked to the same rock outcrop, adding a genuinely ancient archaeological layer to the immediate surroundings.

How to get there?

Vergisson sits in the Mâconnais area, at the foot of the distinctive Roche de Vergisson, right next to the famous Roche de Solutré. This is wine country, home to the Pouilly-Fuissé and Mâcon appellations. The menhir is located within the commune, near the hamlet of Chancerons that gave it its name — easily reached by a short drive from Mâcon, or as a stop on a walking route through the surrounding hills.

When to visit?

Spring and summer are the most rewarding seasons, when the vineyards and hills around Roche de Vergisson and Roche de Solutré are at their most scenic and the walking trails are fully accessible. Autumn brings the grape harvest, a good excuse to pair a visit with local wine tasting. In winter the site is quieter, which suits visitors looking for a more secluded stop.

Why is it worth a stop?

The Menhir de Chancerons is a good example of layered local history: a stone quarried for practical purposes in the 19th century, repurposed as the base of a religious cross, and later formally protected as a heritage monument — all without ever being a genuine prehistoric standing stone. It makes for an interesting detour for anyone curious about local history and archaeology, especially combined with a visit to the nearby Ciste du Bois Rosier and the landscapes of the Mâconnais.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Menhir de Chancerons a real prehistoric standing stone? No. The stone came from the Bois-Rosier rock outcrop and was set up in the early 19th century as the base for a cross, not as a prehistoric monument.

Why is it still classified as a historic monument? It received official heritage protection (monument historique) on 19 September 1958 for its value as part of the local landscape and history, not because of a prehistoric origin.

How tall is it and who owns it? The stone is about 2 metres tall and belongs to the commune of Vergisson.

What else is worth seeing nearby? Close by is the Ciste du Bois Rosier, a megalithic burial site tied to the same rock outcrop, along with the well-known hills of Roche de Vergisson and Roche de Solutré, popular with hikers and wine lovers exploring the Mâconnais region.