Visit Carnac and the surrounding area
Discover Carnac and the surrounding area by staying at Camping Les Druides, the ideal place for a family vacation.
Rent your pitch or mobile home with Wi-Fi connection and enjoy a friendly, relaxing setting. Located close to the sandy beaches of Carnac and La Trinité-sur-Mer, our 3-star campsite offers modern facilities: a heated swimming pool for relaxation, playgrounds for children, and multi-sports fields to entertain your teenagers. With its shady pitches and privileged location in the heart of Quiberon Bay, Camping Les Druides is the perfect base from which to explore the region's natural, historical and cultural treasures.
The commune of Carnac is famous for its alignments of 2934 menhirs, as well as for its seaside resort.
Carnac is located on the northern edge of Mor Braz, on the Atlantic coast, between the Gulf of Morbihan to the east and the Quiberon peninsula to the west. It's a vast coastal community, with protected water for most of its fine sandy beaches.
In 1974, a thalassotherapy center was built on part of the dried-out salt pans. There are still a few salt pans left, but they are no longer exploited. The Carnac Barrière casino was built opposite them.
-
** The history of Carnac: From prehistoric life to seaside resort
** Carnac has probably been occupied without interruption since the 5th millennium BC, when the Saint Michel tumulus was built (in the Neolithic period). At its base, it is 125 metres long, 60 metres wide and 12 metres high. It required 35,000 cubic metres of stone and earth. A tomb for members of an elite, it contained a variety of funerary objects, most of which are now on display in the Museum of Prehistory. The chapel was then built on top.
The alignments are divided into several distinct groups. The Ménec alignments comprise 12 converging rows of menhirs stretching for over a kilometer, with the remains of stone circles at each end. The largest stones, to the west, reach 4 m in height.
Legend has it that Saint Cornély, pursued by Roman soldiers, turned around and froze them into stones, known today as menhirs.
Around 1875, Scottish archaeologist James Miln (1819-1881) came to study the site and took on Zacharie Le Rouzic (1864-1939) as his guide and helper. After his mentor's death, Le Rouzic became the guardian and then curator of the Musée de la Préhistoire and, although self-taught, became an internationally recognized specialist in the region's megaliths.
In 1903, a seaside resort was created on former salt marshes, and it grew considerably in the 1950s, making Carnac a two-headed town: Carnac-ville and Carnac-Plage.
Carnac: Seaside resort
Set in the prestigious natural site of Quiberon Bay, Carnac, world-famous for its menhir alignments, offers 4 complementary worlds:
Beach side:
Relax on the beaches and enjoy swimming in the sea with your family in complete safety. There's no shortage of activities: catamarans, dinghies, windsurfers... Don't forget to check thedaily tide times! For a moment of relaxation and pleasure, the Quiberon thalassotherapy center welcomes you all year round. The Carnac site is currently being renovated.
Megaliths:
Discover the menhirs, dolmens and other megalithic sites that make Carnac a town with a unique historical heritage in Brittany. It's a great place for walking or cycling.
The "Paysages des mégalithes de Carnac et du Sud Morbihan" association is applying to UNESCO for World Heritage status for the megaliths of Carnac and the Morbihan riverbanks. A new museum is planned for 2027 to showcase all the collections. In fact, the current prehistory museum is unable to display all its collections due to lack of space and the sheer number of objects.
Don't miss the Locmariaquer site: the merchants' table with the great broken menhirs. Another exceptional site.
Nature:
Take advantage of the 40 km of hiking trails to discover Carnac on foot or by bike. This rich natural heritage, often overlooked by visitors, hides many treasures: fountains, chapels and other natural sites will enchant you! The long-distance hiking trail -GR34- crosses our beautiful region, in the heart of nature or along the coast, the views are breathtaking, so beautiful is nature!
City side:
A land of legends, Carnac has preserved its authentic family character. Visit the market to experience the colorful, fragrant atmosphere of small local producers. There are even night markets in high season in the Quiberon Bay region, and even the music takes part!
Discover all the activities and leisure activities to make the most of your stay in Carnac
Are you looking for something to do with the family, as a couple, with friends, or for a getaway on one of the Gulf Islands?
Type your keywords in the search bar to consult one of our many articles.