In the heart of Brunoy, on the banks of the Yerres River,strange stones have stood for thousands of years. Known as "Pierres Frittes," they still intrigue curious visitors and archaeologists alike. Three large stones weighing several tons have been planted in the ground since the dawn of time, right at the water's edge.
The Pierres Frittes de Brunoy, discreetly nestled on the left bank of the Yerres River, are very real. They can be reached on foot from the town center by following a small shaded path. This peaceful setting is home to a prehistoric treasure: two rows of standing stones, one known as Talma and the other as Haute-Borne, barely a kilometer apart.
These sandstone blocks, erected without mortar or iron tools, are evidence of very ancient human occupation, probably dating back to the Neolithic period. But their history remains shrouded in mystery: there is no precise dating and no clearly identified function. Was it a ritual site, a boundary marker, a solar observatory? Experts have put forward several hypotheses, without reaching a conclusion. This uncertainty adds to the magic of the place: everyone can project a little of their imagination onto it.
The very name of these stones adds to the mystery. "Frittes" – sometimes written "Fittes" – comes from an old word meaning "stuck" or "planted." Other versions refer to the biblical legend of Lot: two of the stones were nicknamed "Lot's Wife and Daughter," turned to stone for looking back at Sodom. A beautiful way to combine myth and geology.
In Brunoy, people like to say that these stones "speak" when the wind blows or that they change slightly in appearance depending on the season. And while these stories are mainly local folklore, they remind us how much the menhirs have always fascinated the inhabitants, to the point of attributing a soul to them.
Today, the Pierres Frittes can be viewed freely. Classified as historical monuments (the first alignment since 1889, the second since 1977), they are located on plots of land accessible on foot from the banks of the Yerres. The site is not signposted like a museum: you have to search a little, follow the riverbanks, and let your curiosity guide you: one of your landmarks will be the Perronet bridge. The site is not off-limits, but it deserves to be respected: no carving or climbing on the stones, of course. You will then find yourself face to face with one of the secret mysteries of the Paris region.
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Location
Brunoy Frit Stones
pierres frittes de brunoy
91800 Brunoy
