News - The Durandal sword, which according to legend belonged to the knight Roland, is stolen in France

The French version of King Arthur’s legendary Excalibur sword has vanished from a rock into which legend says it was plunged 1,300 years ago, reports The Independent. The Durandal sword from Rocamadour, southern France, is presumed to have been stolen despite it being chained to the stone 32 feet off the ground. Durandal was the sword of Roland, a legendary paladin, or knight, and officer of Charlemagne in French epic literature, and was said to be indestructible. Local mayor Dominique Lenfant told La Depeche: “We’re going to miss Durandal. It’s been part of Rocamadour for centuries, and there’s not a guide who doesn’t point it out when he visits. “Rocamadour feels it’s been robbed of a part of itself, but even if it’s a legend, the destinies of our village and this sword are entwined.” Rocamadour is a medieval town located in the center of a plateau perched on a steep cliff. It is one of the centers of worship of the Virgin Mary and a place of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages. In addition, this medieval town is one of France's most popular tourist destinations.