Nestled in southern Morbihan, the Carnac menhirs are distinguished by their incredible alignment and unique appearance.

7000 years old, the megalithic alignments of Carnac are world famous and are one of the most important centers of European prehistory in existence. The singularity of the Carnac megaliths is their extraordinary alignments and their sheer numbers, this is the largest gathering of standing stones of this type in the world. The two main sites (Ménec and Kermario) alone account for nearly 3,000 menhirs, and the alignments extend over almost four miles!

The stones are placed in descending order and each alignment ends on a megalithic stone circle, some more visible than others. Why were these stones erected and aligned? There are many theories that attempt to explain the origin of the alignments, including that they were religious monuments, related to the worship of the moon or sun, or to the farming calendar. One legend even has it that they were a Roman army turned into stone! But their origin continues to be a mystery. The remains of this prehistoric period suggest, however, that they had a sacred and funereal function.

To protect these ancestral monuments and promote this exceptional heritage, local towns have pooled their resources in an attempt to have the megaliths of southern Morbihan listed as a UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites.

The stones of Carnac are frequently visited by both tourists and locals for their unsual appearance. Come check out another magnificant mystery in France.