Located at the top of Mont Barlot in the northern part of the Creuse, the Pierres Jaumâtres (Jaumâtres Stones) have fueled legends throughout the years. These granite blocks were named after Celtic deities or the supposed benefits they were thought to provide. George Sand, who visited the region regularly, helped to increase the Pierres Jaumâtres' popularity.
Origins of the myth
In the community of Toulx-Sainte-Croix, in the Creuse, the site of the Pierres Jaumâtres reaches an altitude of 1,975 feet (602 m), at the top of Mont Barlot. Made of granite blocks formed 2 million years ago, they have since been hewn by wind, rain, and snow erosion, creating a wonderful landscape for visitors with vivid imaginations. Whatever their origin, simply the name jaumâtres evokes the legends these stones bear. Jo-Mathr means making blood flow in Celtic, while in the local dialect, Pierres aux Mâtres indicates a place where mâtres—the Gallo-Roman mother goddesses or fairies—lived.
Arrivée sur le site des Pierres JaumâtresFondation du patrimoine
In 1806, Jean-François Barailon, National Assembly member for the Creuse, published a book in which he compiled legends associated with the Pierres Jaumâtres.
Although it was scientifically demonstrated in 1850 that the site was formed naturally, the beliefs survived, especially with the emergence of tourism.
Although completely natural, the hollows, gullies, or grooves in the stones are believed to be manmade.
Thus, this hollowed-out stone is seen as a chair to sit in while attending the pagan ceremonies that took place on the site in Celtic times.
Ball sur le site des Pierres JaumâtresFondation du patrimoine
According to local tradition, hot springs gushed out of it, where fairies (mâtres) came to bathe and dance. However, they were forbidden to go there after dark.
When one of them violated this rule, the queen of the fairies was furious and dried up the springs and smashed the stones with her hammer, creating the chaotic landscape.
After this fit of rage, she threw her hammer down, saying, "hot water will flow where my hammer lands." That is how the thermal spa in Évaux-les-bains was created, almost 19 miles (30 km) away.
Pierres figurant Tarann sur le site des Pierres JaumâtresFondation du patrimoine
The Chieftains' Stone
According to legend, Gallic warrior chieftains used this round stone, which has fallen over, as a shield.
It was overturned and split the day Julius Caesar was victorious in the Battle of Alesia, and can only be put back together when a Celtic chieftain reigns once again.
Les trois pains de sucre sur le site des Pierres JaumâtresFondation du patrimoine
The Three Sugar Loaves
These three stones with vertical gouges come from a single block that has split over time.
The inhabitants believed it was the access to a sanctuary where Celtic rituals and sacrifices took place.
La Bascule sur le site des Pierres JaumâtresFondation du patrimoine
Teutatès
This precariously balanced stone is the subject of another legend.
Tulla, the beautiful and very proud daughter of King Arthur and a local chieftain's daughter, was walking on the site and encountered 50 warriors.
Immediately, a pitched battle broke out to see which of them was the bravest, and thus most worthy of marrying the beautiful woman.
She watched the slaughter disdainfully from the Teutatès stone.
The gods, noticing the uproar, were shocked by the sight and decided to punish Tulla and the knights. The ground opened under their feet and swallowed them, as well as the nearby city of Toulx.
It is said that only a noble and pure person who hears the wind from Armorica blowing through the Teutatès rock can free Tulla and the knights, thereby restoring the Golden Age.
Simulacre de divinité sur le site des Pierres JaumâtresFondation du patrimoine
A representation of divinity
These stones, with their evocative shapes, have long been the object of certain cults. They were reputed to cure men's virility problems or women's fertility problems.
Hesus sur le site des Pierres JaumâtresFondation du patrimoine
The Boussaquine
This stone, appearing precariously balanced, toppled over in the early 1800s.
Legend has it that the site was created by giants.
One of them, too confident in their strength, tried to place the stone alone, but failed.
The stone is so named because, during the period when Mont Barlot had no trees, it could be seen from the village of Boussac, located across from it.
Vur sur Boussac depuis le site des Pierres JaumâtresFondation du patrimoine
The village is still visible from the Boussaquine, especially its château. A prominent figure who contributed to the Pierres Jaumâtres' fame often visited the château.
George Sand and the Château de Boussac
In the 19th century, the famous novelist George Sand owned an estate at Nohant, in Indre, a few dozen miles from Boussac. She stayed in Creuse for the first time in 1814 and discovered the Pierres Jaumâtres at that time. The site made a strong impression on her, and she returned to the area 30 years later with Frédéric Chopin. They stayed at the Château de Boussac, which is the region's administrative sub-center today.
Chambre de George Sand au château de BoussacFondation du patrimoine
She could admire the site from her room, which gave her a clear view of the Pierres Jaumâtres.
Fascinated by these druidic stones, the novelist mentioned them in several of her works, like Jeanne and Les Pierres-Sottes, also known as Pierres-Caillasses.
Façade est du château de BoussacFondation du patrimoine
She took refuge in the Château de Boussac again in 1870, fleeing the Prussian war and disease.
Her notes and thoughts during this stay are recorded in the work Carnet d'un Voyageur Pendant la Guerre (Diary of a Traveler During the War), where she recalled the Pierres Jaumâtres one last time.
Les petits paradis en Limousin : les Pierres Jaumâtres en CreuseFondation du patrimoine
Admire this superb and mysterious site in this video.
Our thanks for Julia Jacquet from the Creuse-Confluence Tourism Office, Madame Blondeau, owner of the Château de Boussac, Béatrice Faury from Creuse Tourism, and to Carine Pauliac from the Regional Tourism Committee for their invaluable help in creating this content.
