Carnac is a small village of about 5,000 people in the region of Brittany, northwestern France. It is home to the Carnac Stones, a system of more than 3,000 prehistoric standing stones.

History of Carnac Stones

The Carnac Stones were hewn from local rock and erected by the pre-Celtic people of Brittany.

The megaliths were erected during the Neolithicperiod which lasted from 4500 BC until 2000 BC. The precise date of the stones is difficult to ascertain as little dateable material has been found beneath them.

About 3300 BC is the date most commonly estimated for the site's main phase of activity, but some megaliths may date to as early as 4500 BC.

One interpretation of the site is that successive generations visited the site to erect stones in honor of their ancestors.

What to See at Carnac Stones

The Carnac Stones consist of both single standing stones (menhirs) and multistone clusters (dolmens).

There are two main groups of stone alignments at Carnac, which are known as the Menec and Kermario alignments. Further smaller alignments are dotted around the area including the Kerlescan and the Petit Menec.

The Menec alignments are 12 converging rows of menhirs stretching more than a kilometre with the remains of a stone circle at either end. The largest stones, around 4m high, are at the wider, western end; they become smaller along the length of the alignment reaching around 0.6m high, at the extreme east they grow to in height.

A little further along to the east, this fanning layout is virtually repeated in what is called the Kermario alignment.

Quick Facts on Carnac Stones

Site Information
Names:	Carnac Stones
Categories:	standing stones; megalithic monuments
Dates:	4500-2000 BCE
Status:	ruins
Visitor and Contact Information
Coordinates:	47.593047° N, 3.081107° W
Address:	Route des Alignements Carnac, France 56340
Phone:	02-97-52-29-81
Hours:	Apr-Sep: daily access by one-hour guided tour Oct-Mar: daily 10am-5pm
Lodging:	View hotels near Carnac Stones

Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

References

1. Carnac stones - Wikipedia
2. menhirs - Fodors.com
3. Carnac Attractions - Frommers.com

More Information

• Carnac - Megalithia
• The Stones of Carnac - Windows to the Universe
• The Megaliths of Carnac
• Photos of Carnac Stones - here on Sacred Destinations