Carnac Museum of Prehistory – 450,000 Years of Human History

The Carnac Museum of Prehistory, the world's first museum devoted entirely to megalithic culture (founded in 1882), exhibits more than 3,000 archaeological artifacts representing 450,000 years of human history. Exceptional collections from the European Neolithic period: burial sites, dolmens, variscite (Spanish jewelry), Alpine jade axes, engraved cave art. Chronological Paleolithic-Gallo-Roman exhibition on two floors, interactive area for young visitors, creative workshops, guided tours, models of megaliths. Municipal facility listed as a Historic Monument since 1928. Located 500-700m from Les Druides campground in downtown Carnac, it is a world-renowned archaeological site that provides context for your visit to the alignments and 3,000 menhirs, the largest preserved megalithic complex in Europe.

📌 About This Museum

Camping Les Druides recommends visiting the museum via its blog and recommendation articles.

Important: The Museum of Prehistory is a municipal public facility managed directly by the City of Carnac. Les Druides campground:

• does not organize visits

• does not make reservations

• does not manage admission fees

We highly recommend this exceptional museum to enrich your stay.

For information on updated 2026 opening hours and prices, please contact the Museum of Prehistory directly using the contact details at the end of this article.

🏛️ History & Prestige of the Museum (1882-2026)

Pioneer Foundation – World Archaeology

First museum entirely dedicated to megalithism:

1873 - Arrival of Scotsman James Miln:

• Founder: James Miln (1819–1881), a passionate Scottish gentleman

• Motivation: Attracted by the worldwide fame of the Carnac megaliths

• Excavations: From 1873 to 1881 on the Kermario Alignments, Saint-Michel tumulus, regional dolmens

• Discoveries: Massive collections of prehistoric artifacts

1882 - Opening of the Miln Museum:

• Legacy: Bequest of the James Miln collection to the municipality of Carnac

• Construction: Robert Miln (James's brother) has a special building constructed at his own expense.

• Inauguration: J. Miln Museum – the world's first museum dedicated exclusively to megalithic culture

• A world first: never before has a museum been dedicated solely to this subject.

1928 - Listed as a Historic Monument:

• Curator: Zacharie Le Rouzic (local resident, student of James Miln)

• Enrichments: Ongoing regional excavations, expanded collections

• Decision: All collections classified as Historic Monuments

• National recognition: Major archaeological heritage site

1984 - New Modern Building:

• Former rectory converted into a prehistory museum

• Location: 10 Place Chapelle, Carnac town center

• Accessibility: Close to megalithic alignments and sites

• Inauguration: 1985 by Minister of Culture Jack Lang

2026 - Permanent Global Reference:

• Recognition: World-renowned archaeological institution

• Influence: Pioneer of all European megalithic museums

• New building: Work in 2025 to extend Rue Poul Person (3,200 m² over 3 floors)

Context Carnac – European Megalithic Gem

Carnac: a globally unique archaeological site:

🗿 Carnac Alignments: ~3,000 menhirs, the largest megalithic site in Europe still standing
🗿 Dolmens & Tumuli: Impressive Neolithic collective burial sites
🗿 Center of Power: Great European wealth at the beginning of the 5th millennium BC
🗿 Long-distance trade: Variscite from Spain, jade from the Alps passing through Carnac

The museum: essential context: Prepare for your visit to the alignment sites with in-depth archaeological insight.

📂 Exceptional Collections (3000+ Artifacts on Display)

General Wealth

One of the richest collections of prehistory in Europe:

Number of objects: 3,000+ archaeological artifacts on display (350,000 in storage)
Time span: 450,000 years of human history represented
Provenance: Excavations at Carnac sites and distant trading regions
Layout: Two floors, chronological and thematic itinerary

Presentation formats:

• Themed displays organized by period

• Architectural models and megalithic reconstructions

• Castings of engraved slabs – parietal art dolmens

• Archaeological maps and plans geographical context

• Bilingual French-English informational texts

• Interactive touch screens for young audiences

📚 Historical Periods on Display

Paleolithic (450,000–11,000 years BP)

Origins: first human settlements in Brittany:

Timeline:

• 450,000 years BP: Pointe Saint-Colomban site (Homo erectus)

• 400,000 years BP: Menez-Dregan dwellings – complex dwellings

• Species: Homo erectus roamed the beaches and cliffs of Brittany.

Artifacts:

• Stone tools: Bifaces, scrapers, cores

• Traces of fire: Organized settlements

• Faunal remains: Bones of hunted animals

Mesolithic (11,000–6,000 years BP)

Transition from hunter-gatherers:

Innovations:

• Microliths: Small blades used to arm arrows

• Fishing gear: Hooks, harpoons, nets

• Coastal sites: Shell middens as evidence of food sources

Neolithic period (6,000–2,200 years BP) – CORE COLLECTIONS

The height of Carnac megalithism:

Megaliths:

• Dolmen burials: Monumental collective tombs, engraved slabs

• Standing menhirs: Mysterious alignments of raised stones

• Tumulus: Burial mounds containing rich grave goods

• Cave art: Engravings – geometric and anthropomorphic symbols

Exceptional funeral furnishings:

• Green variscite: Beads and jewelry imported from Spain (evidence of long-distance trade)

• Alpine Jade Axes: Prestigious Tools Imported from the Italian Alps

• Ceramics: Decorated pottery, carinated vases

• Jewelry: Necklaces, bracelets, shell pendants

• Flint blades: Carved tools from Le Grand-Pressigny (Touraine)

Historical significance: Carnac was a center of Neolithic power in Europe, with a trade network extending to Spain and the Alps.

Bronze Age (2,200–800 years BP)

Copper and bronze metallurgy:

Artifacts:

• Socket axes: Specialized copper/bronze tools

• Tool deposits: Monetary economic groupings

• Metal jewelry: Twisted bracelets, pins, brooches

• Gold jewelry: Necklaces, bracelets of prestigious elites

Evolution: Stone-to-bronze transition, emergence of hierarchical society.

Iron Age (800 BC - 58 BC)

Iron metallurgy - first layers:

Discoveries:

• Currencies: Commercial exchange coins

• Amphorae: Containers for Mediterranean wines

• Glass objects: Innovative luxury accessories

• Iron tools: Sickles, picks – advanced technology

• Salt furnaces: Reconstruction of coastal economic activity

Context: Complex Hallstatt society, Celtic influences.

Gallo-Roman period (58 BC - 500 AD)

Gallic acculturation & Roman fusion:

Major exhibitions:

• Villa Bosséno: Large, affluent rural residence

  • Mosaics: Geometric figurative pavements

  • Thermal baths: Hypocaust heating system sophisticated installations

  • Sigillata ceramics: Fine pottery imported from Gaul

• Roman coins: Denarii, Antoninianus coins attesting to trade

• Glassware: Luxury containers, glazing

• Statuettes: Syncretic deity figurines

Meaning: Gradual integration into the Roman world.

🎯 Interactive Space for Young Audiences

Child-friendly educational area dedicated to children:

Interactive Discovery

• Touchscreens: Digital guided tour by theme

• Educational games: Archaeology quiz, object identification

• Educational videos: Reconstructions of prehistoric life

Permanent Creative Workshops

• Freehand drawing: Personal sketches of megaliths

• Wood construction: Miniature architecture, menhirs, dolmens

• Clay modeling: Creating Neolithic pottery

Documentation

• Comic books: Illustrated stories for young readers

• Specialized journals: Children's archaeology magazines

• Giant illustrated books: Explicit picture albums

Audience: Children of all ages accompanied by adults.

🎓 Guided Tours with Commentary

Standard Guided Tour

Full exploration format:

• Duration: 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on pace and interest

• Format: Individuals, small groups, families

• Guide: Professional archaeologist or accredited guide

• Contents: Complete chronology Paleolithic-Gallo-Roman

• Language: French (English upon request)

Strengths:

• Context including megaliths and alignments

• Detailed excavation reports

• Direct Q&A with experts

"À Petits Pas" Tour for Children (4+)

Specifically for young families:

• Audience: Ages 4 and up with parental guidance

• Duration: approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, at a pace suitable for children

• Hours: Saturdays during school holidays 10:15 a.m .

• Format: Illustrated story, playful objects

Contents:

• Prehistoric adventures for children

• Objects that can be observed up close

• Interactive quiz games

📋 Practical Information 2026

Location & Access

Location in central Carnac:

📍 Address: 10 Place Chapelle, 56340 Carnac
📍 Distance from Les Druides Campground: 500-700m on foot
📍 Access: Town center, clearly signposted
📍 Parking: Chapelle & Saint-Fiacre public parking lots nearby

2026 timetable

Hours outside of school vacations:

• January-February: Closed for the entire period

• March-April-November: 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays)

• May-June-July-September: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m.-6 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays)

• August: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (open every day)

• October: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m.–5:30 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays)

• December: Completely closed

Special closures: January 1, May 1, December 25.

School Holiday Schedule 2026

Open every day during all vacation periods:

• January-February-March: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

• April–May: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m.–6 p.m.

• July-August: 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (continuous)

• October-November-December: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Admission Prices

Indicative prices – Check with the museum for updates in 2026:

• Full price for adults: ~€7

• Children (6-17 years old): ~€3

• Children (under 6 years old): Free

• Reduced rate: ~€5 (Megalith Pass, CNAS, students)

• Children's workshops: €5–12 (school holidays)

• Guided tour: Special pricing (check with the museum)

Payment methods: Cash, credit cards, checks, ANCV vacation vouchers.

Accessibility for people with reduced mobility

♿ Accessible museum:

• Barrier-free entrance: Easy access for people with reduced mobility

• Elevator: Full navigation on two levels

• Adapted toilets: Accessibility standards

• Disabled parking: Reserved spaces nearby

Specific information: Contact the museum directly.

Museum Shop

Specialized tourism trade:

📚 Archaeology books: Popular science essays
📚 Reproductions of artifacts: Variscite jewelry, replica axes
📚 Educational guides: Workbooks for children and adults
📚 Postcards: Images of megalith collections
📚 Minerals: Variscite samples, fossils

Recommended Visit Duration

⏱️ Depending on exploration depth:

• Quick tour: 1–1.5 hours overview of main collections

• Full tour: 2–2.5 hours reading panel texts

• In-depth exploration: 3+ hours of careful study of display cases

• With workshop: 2.5-3 hours museum + 1-hour workshop

🏕️ From Les Druides Campground

Very close access to the museum:

✅ Distance: 500-700 meters on foot
✅ Walk: 10-15 minutes at a leisurely pace to the town center
✅ Archaeological site: Heart of the Carnac megalithic zone
✅ Maison Mégalithes: 750m maximum (national monuments)

Additional camping services:

• Heated pool: Relaxation after your visit

• Bar Carpe Diem: Drink break before going out

• Tourist Office brochures: Complete documentation on megaliths

Ideal itinerary: Morning museum → Lunch at the campground → Swimming pool → Afternoon alignments! 🗿

✨ In Summary

The Carnac Museum of Prehistory, the world's leading museum of megalithic culture (1882), offers an exceptional journey through 450,000 years of human history. Exceptional collections of over 3,000 artifacts: burial sites, dolmens, engraved cave art, Spanish variscite, Alpine jade, and prestigious ceramics.

Chronological Paleolithic-Gallo-Roman exhibition contextualizesthe largest preservedmegalithic complex in Europe (3,000 menhirs). Interactive space for young audiences, creative workshops, expert guided tours, full accessibility for people with reduced mobility.

From Camping Les Druides, 500-700m away, discover this world-renowned archaeological site classified as a Historic Monument (1928). A must-see museum for gaining an in-depth understanding of Neolithic civilizations in Brittany before visiting the alignments.

📞 Contacts

Carnac Museum of Prehistory

Address: 10 Place Chapelle, 56340 Carnac
Telephone: +33 (0)2 97 52 22 04
Website: www.museedecarnac.com

Services:

• Guided tours with commentary

• Creative workshops for children

• Specialty archaeology store

• Full accessibility for people with reduced mobility

Timetables & Fares: Check the website for updates 2026

Carnac Tourist Office

Phone: 02 97 52 13 52
Website: www.ot-carnac.fr
Services: Museum information, alignments, archaeological tours

House of Megaliths (National Monuments Center)

Address: Rue Ménec, 56340 Carnac
Website: www.menhirs-carnac.fr
Services: Guided tours of the alignments, exhibitions

Les Druides Campground

Address: 55 Chemin de Beaumer, 56340 Carnac
Telephone: +33 (0)2 97 52 08 18
Website: www.camping-les-druides.com
Distance: 500-700m walking distance from the museum
Services: Heated swimming pool, Le Carpe Diem bar, tourist information