| Dolmen of the Fairy Stone | |
|---|---|
| Native names | |
 The dolmen in 2024 | |
| Type | dolmen |
| Location | Draguignan, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France |
| Coordinates | 43°32′41″N6°27′11″E / 43.544771°N 6.4531°E |
| Height | 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in) |
| Built | 2500–2000 BC |
| Official name | Dolmen dit La pierre de la Fée |
| Designated | 1889 |
| Reference no. | PA00081588 |
  Location of Dolmen of the Fairy Stone in France | |
The Fairy Stone is a dolmen in Draguignan, in the south of France, classified as a monument historique since 1889. [1]
During the 1844 excavations, "a flint arrowhead, two bone buttons, and one oval-shaped lead bead" [2] were recovered. The human bones found showed no signs of burning, except for a fragment of a skull. [2] During the last restoration in 1951, the base of all the slabs was reinforced with a concrete foundation, and the trunk of the ancient oak tree behind the headstone slab was cut to reduce the pressure it was exerting on the building. [2] The earth extracted during the work was sifted, which made it possible to collect some archaeological material: about twenty beads (limestone, callais, lignite, serpentine), a pierced deer spittoon, and three Pomatias elegans snail opercula. [2]
The funerary objects have been dated to the Chalcolithic period ("Copper Age"). [3]
In 1975, a resident of Draguignan who opposed the transfer of the Var prefecture to Toulon [4] the previous year expressed his anger by blowing up the monument. [5]
All that remains of the original structure are two orthostats and the chevet slab, measuring between 2.20 m and 2.40 m in height. A third support slab still existed in 1996. All elements are made of local limestone. The stone slab covering the tomb is monumental: 6 m long, 4.70 m wide and 0.58 m thick, weighing approximately 20 tons. [3]
During the second half of the 19th century, the dolmen was considered one of the most beautiful dolmens in France. Its location and surroundings were ideal. It was situated on a hilltop, protected by the shade of three trees: an oak, a juniper and a hackberry. Finally, it was fortunate to be located in Draguignan, the prefecture of the Var department at the time, making it easily accessible. [6]
According to local legend, women who wanted children would visit the fairy Esterelle, who would help them conceive.
