Carnac stones, Prehistoric stone alignment in Carnac, France.
More than 3,000 granite standing stones form parallel rows stretching across four kilometers of the Brittany landscape near the Atlantic coast.
The megalithic structures were erected between 4500 BC and 3300 BC by pre-Celtic inhabitants during the Neolithic period of European prehistory.
The stones feature in regional folklore as Roman soldiers transformed into stone by the wizard Merlin during his travels through Brittany.
Visitors can access the stone alignments without charge from October through March, while guided tours operate between April and September.
The stones decrease progressively in height from west to east, starting at 4 meters tall and reducing to 0.6 meters at their eastern end.
Location: Carnac
Location: La Trinité-sur-Mer
Address: LIeu-dit le Ménec, 56340 Carnac, France 56340 Carnac
Phone: +33297522981
Website: https://menhirs-carnac.fr
GPS coordinates: 47.59333,-3.07972
Latest update: May 26, 2025 20:04
These ancient sites reveal human civilization's development. From Egyptian pyramids to Peru's Nazca Lines, these locations showcase construction methods, religious practices, and social structures of past cultures.
The monuments range from Easter Island Moai to the Great Wall of China. These structures demonstrate human engineering across millennia. The sites include religious temples, fortresses, tombs, and astronomical installations. Many locations maintain cultural significance for local communities.
Stone circles are megalithic structures from prehistoric times. These monuments served as astronomical observation points and gathering places. The constructions demonstrate the technical abilities of early societies. The stones were placed and aligned with precision. Many of these circles connect to solstices and star constellations.
The prehistoric sites of Carnac contain megalithic stones that extend for kilometers. The coastal location features sandy beaches, a marina, and historic buildings. The area includes stone alignments, dolmens, burial mounds, and natural coastal landscapes along the Brittany shore.
Saint-Michel tumulus
745 m
Géant du Manio
2.1 km
Kercado cairn
2 km
Quadrilatère du Manio
2.1 km
Église Saint-Cornély de Carnac
1.1 km
Ménec alignments
0 m
Kermario alignments
1.4 km
Prehistoric museum
967 m
Marché de Carnac
980 m
Dolmen de Kermario
982 m
Chapelle Saint-Michel de Carnac
770 m
Menhir du Bourg
987 m
Alignement de Kerloquet
2 km
Cromlech nord de Kerlescan
2.6 km
Menhirs de Kerderff
896 m
Alignement de Toulchignan
438 m
Dolmen de Beaumer
2.2 km
Cruz-Menquen dolmen
554 m
Calvaire Saint-Michel de Carnac
757 m
Menhir de Kerluhir
1.1 km
Tumulus de Kerlescan
2.5 km
Fontaine Saint-Cornély
1.1 km
Dolmen de Roch-Vihan
1.2 km
Le Jardin de Césarine
1.5 km
Maison des Mégalithes
290 m
Cromlech sud de Kerlescan
2.5 km
Moulin de Kermaux
1.5 km
Villa des Bosseno
1.3 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes