Centre des monuments nationaux

Come and visit the Locmariaquer megalithic site near Carnac and discover three emblematic Breton monuments. Enjoy an outstanding view of the Morbihan Gulf and Quiberon Bay from the tip of the peninsula.

Visiting the Locmariaquer megaliths 

• The Great Menhir (c. 4500 BC). This enormous 280-stone decorated block, now lying in four pieces, measures 20.6 metres long and is the biggest monolith ever made in the West by prehistoric man. It was transported by land and sea from a quarry a dozen kilometres away. 

• The Table des Marchand dolmen (c. 3900 BC). This exceptional height of the ceiling in this passage grave for collective burial provides a frame for the spectacular ogival stele at the end of the chamber, bearing a shield design. The ceiling is decorated with engravings which echo those in chamber of the Gavrinis cairn 4km away. 

• The Er-Grah tumulus (4500 BC, 4200 BC and 4000 BC). This tumulus is 140m long and contains a single enclosed chamber.

Understanding the Locmariaquer megaliths 

• A huge Neolithic site. It was in the Neolithic period (4500 to 3500 BC) that man became sedentary and started farming and raising livestock. The scale of the site reveals high population density and a hierarchical social structure. 

• Reimagining the landscape. In Neolithic times vast plains stretched out all around, since covered by the sea.