Carnac Stones, Brittany
Menhirs at Carnac. Photo by Andy Hay.
Photo by Andy Hay.
The stones at dusk. Photo by Thomas Guignard.
Ancient megaliths at Carnac. Photo by Neil Weightman.
Photo by Neil Weightman.
Barrow. Photo by Neil Weightman.
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
The Carnac Stones were hewn from local rock and erected by the pre-Celtic people of Brittany.
The megaliths were erected during the Neolithic period 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
The Carnac Stones consist of both single standing stones (menhirs) and multistone clusters (dolmens).
There are several discrete groups of stone alignments at Carnac. 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. Further smaller alignments are dotted around the area including the Kerlescan and the Petit Menec.
Map
Location of Carnac on the south coast of Brittany, with menhirs marked (click for labels). Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map with your mouse to move around. For a larger view, see our France Map or get our Google Earth download.
More Information
- Carnac - Megalithia
- The Stones of Carnac - Windows to the Universe
- The Megaliths of Carnac
