Mystery as 'French Excalibur' goes MISSING after being stuck in rock for 1,300 years

Durandal was the famed sword of Roland, the protagonist of epic poem La Chanson de Roland, the oldest surviving major work of French literature.

While the sword itself is likely to be a replica, it is a popular tourist spot and locals have been left stumped as to how the artefact was stolen.

Mayor Dominique Lenfant told local media: "We will miss Durandal. She is part of Rocamadour. Rocamadour feels stripped of a part of herself, even if it is a legend, the destinies of our village and this sword are linked."

Father Florent Millet, rector of the sanctuary of Rocamadour said there was no historical value to the replica adding the sword, a popular sight among visitors to the Unesco World Heritage town, was the "umpteenth copy."

Despite this, locals are stumped as to how the thieves managed to remove the sword as it was embedded into the cliff high above the ground and attached by a chain.

Mayor Lenfant added: "Durandal is a public property that belongs to the State. This sword was embedded in the rock face at a shallow depth. It measures 80 cm, so it is a small medieval sword that was forged to stun people or horses, not to kill them."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• French civil wars erupt after Marine Le Pen surges to victory in first parliamentary vote
• Macron scrambles to form left-wing alliance in bid to block Marine Le Pen from power
• US military bases in Europe raise alert second-highest level after fears of 'terrorist action'

La Chanson de Roland (The Song of Roland) was written in the 11th century and tells the story of the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in the year 778 during the reign of Charlemagne.

In the story, an angel brings the sword to Charlemagne, who passes it on to his nephew, Roland.

The story details how Roland used Durandal to hold off Saracen enemies and allow many of his troops to escape back over the Pyrenees.

After using the sword to kill many during the battle, he then hides it beneath his body before he dies, so it will not be captured.

However, local legend dictates Roland actually threw his sword, rather than hid it, creating a crevice in the wall.

Father Millet discovered the sword was missing on June 22 before alerting the authorities.

Mayor Lenfant said: "He noticed that she was no longer there that very morning. The sanctuary is closed to the public from 10pm to 6am, but we don't know exactly when she disappeared.

"As soon as I was informed, I immediately filed a complaint with the police, who went to the scene to make observations and take measurements."