Carnac Alignments – 3,000 Menhirs and Neolithic Mystery

The Carnac Alignments are the largest megalithic site in continental Europe: more than 3,000 menhirs erected 6,500 to 7,000 years ago over 4 kilometers, three main groups (Ménec, Kermario, Kerlescan), and a UNESCO World Heritage listing confirmed on July 12, 2025. This exceptional prehistoric monument, located just 750 meters from Camping Les Druides, offers a fascinating insight into Neolithic civilization and its enduring mysteries.

📌 About This Tour

Camping Les Druides recommends the Carnac Alignments via its blog and recommendation articles.

Important: The Carnac Alignments and access to them are organized and managed directly by the Maison des Mégalithes, a public institution and heritage center. Les Druides campground:

• does not manage reservations

• does not offer guided tours

• does not organize activities on the site

We highly recommend this exceptional heritage site to enrich your stay.

For all booking requests, updated opening hours, and 2026 prices, please contact the Maison des Mégalithes directly using the contact details at the end of this article.

Enigmatic Prehistoric Origins

Chronology Established by Archaeologists

• 6,500 to 7,000 BC: Main construction of the megalithic complex

• 5th to 3rd millennium BC: Intensive construction phase (heyday)

• 2000 BC: Gradual reuse and transformation

Total construction time: Over 1,500 years of successive building, mobilizing entire generations of Neolithic builders in a highly structured social organization.

The Three Great Alignments

1. Alignment of the Menhirs – The Most Monumental Ensemble

The most representative ensemble at the Carnac site:

Current dimensions:

• 1,050 standing stones currently visible

• 950 meters in length

• 100 meters wide

• 11 nearly perfect parallel rows

• Height: From 4 meters in the west to 0.6 meters in the east (gradual decrease)

• Terminal cromlech: 71 blocks forming a circle to the west

Architectural features:

• Gradual decrease in stone size as they move away from the center

• Remarkable geometric parallelism despite Neolithic means

• Intentional architecture following the topography

Accessibility:

• October–March: Free admission (except during school holidays)

• April–September: Guided tours with interior access

• Maison des Mégalithes: Information point 150m away (permanent exhibition, shop, panoramic café)

• Free parking: Easy parking on the west side

2. Kermario's Alignment – Massiveness and Power

Second major feature of the site:

Dimensions:

• 1,029 menhirs in a massive configuration

• 1,200 meters in length

• 100 meters wide

• 10 nearly parallel rows

• Imposing stones made of thick, sturdy local granite

Panoramic observation point:

• Old Kermaux Mill: Metal staircase offering a view from above

• Photographic perspective: View of over 1,000 menhirs from the elevation

• Aerial view: The organization of the alignments becomes clearly visible.

Access: Free walking trails, free parking on the east side.

3. Kerlescan Alignment – Preservation and Discretion

The most preserved and least visited area:

Features:

• 555 standing stones preserved (originally ~540-600)

• 13 rows of menhirs (the best preserved on the site)

• Quadrangular enclosure: 39 blocks almost joined together

• Natural setting: Stones surrounded by protective forest

• Exceptional preservation: Less disturbed by historical quarries

The Giant of Manio:

• 6.5 meters high: The tallest menhir in Carnac

• Located north of the Manio alignment

• Majestic presence dominating the forest views

Accessibility: Less crowded, peaceful atmosphere, dedicated hiking trails.

Neolithic Megalithic Architecture

General Structure of the Complex

Constituent elements:

• Aligned menhirs: Monolithic stones standing in organized rows

• Circular enclosures: Cromlechs closing the alignments

• Burial mounds: Prestigious burial sites (Saint-Michel burial mound: 125 m × 65 m × 12 m high)

• Dolmens: Covered galleries and collective burial chambers

Topographic integration:

• Monumental stones on high points

• Smaller stones in the valleys

• Visual continuity between monuments

• Overall diagram incorporating topography

4. The Saint Michel burial mound in Carnac

Nearly 35,000 cubic meters of materials, skillfully arranged since the beginning of the 5th millennium BCE, form the artificial hill on which stands a chapel dedicated to the archangel Saint Michael. 

This monumental funerary architecture, intended for a prominent figure of the time, spectacularly embodies remarkable technical skills, the builders' particularly accomplished motivation, and above all, a social hierarchy attested to by the quality of the furnishings found inside.

Indeed, the Saint-Michel burial mound, excavated by archaeologists in the second half of the 19th century and at the turn of the 20th century, corresponds well to a burial site of gigantic dimensions originally intended for a single person and containing a collection of prestigious objects. The raw materials used to make these objects (Italian jadeite, for example), combined with the fineness of the polishing, attest to the particularly high social status of the deceased.

The choice of location for the tomb contributes greatly to its exceptional nature: the highest point in the area. Visible to all from everywhere, the monument, restored by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, offers a unique panorama once you reach the summit.

A dozen or so monuments surrounding the alignments are less well known and sometimes difficult to access, but some are worthy of public attention, such as the Tumulus du Moustoir and Tumulus de Crucuny.

Raw Materials and Construction Techniques

Monolithic granite:

• Local quarries in Morbihan: Source of supply

• Unique blocks: Each menhir is a separate monolith.

• Impressive weight: Some stones weigh over 250 tons.

Likely techniques:

• Plant fibers for drainage and transport

• Log levers and force systems

• Ground ramps for gradual rolling

• Ditches for stabilization and anchoring of foundations

Mobilization: Hundreds of men over several centuries, highly structured social organization.

Mysteries and Scientific Hypotheses

Persistent Archaeological Mysteries

1. Religious and sacred function:

• Places of worship and ritual ceremonies

• Homage to natural forces (sun, moon, cosmic phenomena)

• Association with dolmens and burial mounds

2. Astronomical observatory:

• Alignments oriented toward solstices and equinoxes

• Calendar markers for Neolithic agriculture

• Sophisticated astronomical calculations

3. Territorial markers:

• Delimitation of tribal boundaries

• Assertion of power and community prestige

• Monuments of social gathering

4. Processional routes:

• Ritual journeys between sacred sites

• Funeral processions to burial mounds

• Ceremonial routes for major events

Scientific consensus: Probably a combination of several functions (religious, astronomical, social) evolving over the centuries.

UNESCO World Heritage Listing 2025

Confirmed Historical Recognition

• Official date: July 12, 2025 (47th session of the World Heritage Committee)

• Perimeter: Carnac Megaliths and Morbihan Coast (550+ monuments)

• UNESCO criteria: Exceptional testimony to a vanished civilization, a megalithic complex unique in the world

• Implications: Enhanced protection, increased tourism promotion, international influence

The first site in Brittany to be listed as a World Heritage Site, alongside Stonehenge (United Kingdom) and the Pyramids of Giza (Egypt).

Visit to the Alignments

House of Megaliths – Main Visitor Center

Services and facilities:

Permanent exhibition:

• Educational videos recreating Neolithic life

• Informative panels on timelines and hypotheses

• Scale models of monuments

Tourist services:

• Ticket office for guided tours

• Free documentation (brochures, maps, guides)

• Practical information (opening hours, accessibility, weather)

• Specialty store (books on archaeology and science)

Panoramic terrace:

• 180° view of the Ménec alignment

• Coffee with beverages and refreshments

Location: Avenue du Ménec, opposite the site, 150m from the main entrance.

Guided Tours and Activities

Expert guided tours:

• Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours with an archaeologist or specialized guide

• Themes: History, architecture, mysteries, Neolithic life

• Languages: French, English, German (depending on the season)

• Reservations: Recommended during peak season

Tourist train:

• Guided tour of the three main alignments

• Duration: ~40 minutes

• Suitable for families with young children

Educational workshops:

• Interactive discovery of the site

• Activities for children and adults

• Reservations recommended

For updated 2026 opening hours, please contact the Maison des Mégalithes orthe Carnac Tourist Office directly.

Practical Information

Location and Access

Addresses of the three sites:

• 📍 Ménec: Avenue du Ménec, 56340 Carnac

• 📍 Kermario: Route de Kermario, 56340 Carnac

• 📍 Kerlescan: Chemin de Kerlescan, 56340 Carnac

Distance from Camping Les Druides: 750-1000m walk to Ménec
Free parking: Spacious parking spaces at Ménec and Kermario

Hours and Accessibility

Self-guided tour (free):

• October–March: Permanent outdoor access without reservation

• April–September: Free access to peripheral trails

Guided tours (fee required):

• October–March: Upon request, advance booking required

• April–September: Daily, regular schedule

• July-August: Enhanced programming during peak season

Accessibility for people with reduced mobility:

• Disabled parking at Ménec

• Maison des Mégalithes accessible (elevator)

• Panoramic terrace with easy access

• Guided tours can be customized upon request

• Limitation: Rough natural terrain (unpaved roads)

Recommended Duration

⏱️ Depending on exploration level:

• Quick tour: 1.5-2 hours (general overview)

• Standard tour: 2.5–3.5 hours (complete tours)

• In-depth exploration: 4 hours+ (full hike)

• With the Museum of Prehistory: Full day recommended

From Les Druides Campground

Exceptional proximity to World Heritage sites

Camping Les Druides offers extremely close access to the Carnac Alignments:

✅ 750-1000 meters on foot to the Ménec site
✅ 15-20 minutes' leisurely walk to the megaliths
✅ In the heart of the archaeological zone (alignments, dolmens, adjacent tumuli)
✅ 150 meters from the Maison des Mégalithes for comprehensive information

Campground services:

• Heated swimming pool (relaxation after an archaeological hike)

• Bar Carpe Diem (evening aperitif on the terrace)

• Tourist Office documentation at reception (maps, guides)

Ideal itinerary: Morning at the megaliths → Lunch at the campground → Swimming pool → Prehistory Museum in the late afternoon! 🗿

Why Visit the Carnac Alignments?

The Carnac Alignments offer a unique archaeological experience in Europe: 3,000 standing stones, silent witnesses to a sophisticated Neolithic civilization dating back 6,500 to 7,000 years. With its enduring mysteries, monumental architecture, and UNESCO 2025 inscription, this heritage site offers a fascinating insight into European prehistory.

Just a few hundred meters from Camping Les Druides, discover this archaeological gem where 7,000 years of human history remain engraved in 3,000 granite monoliths.

📞 Information and Contacts

House of Megaliths Carnac

Adresse : Avenue du Ménec, 56340 Carnac
Téléphone : <a href="tel:+33297522981">02 97 52 29 81</a>
Site web : www.menhirs-carnac.fr
Email : contact@menhirs-carnac.fr
Horaires : Toute l'année (exposition, billetterie, informations)

Carnac Tourist Office

Address: 74 avenue des Druides, 56340 Carnac
Telephone: +33 (0) 2 97 52 13 52
Website: www.ot-carnac.fr

Les Druides Campground

Address: 55 Chemin de Beaumer, 56340 Carnac
Telephone: +33 (0) 2 97 52 08 18
Website: www.camping-les-druides.com