Morbihan and the Carnac Stones: Explore Brittany’s Mysterious History

In the quaint village of Carnac in Northern France, nearly 4,000 stones stand perfectly aligned in a field. Historians speculate that the stones have been standing for nearly 7,000 years. No one is entirely sure precisely who arranged the stones, or why. Archeologists believe that the Carnac Stones may have been placed by a roving band of hunter-gatherers for ceremonial purposes. A handful of burial mounds full of artifacts such as jewelry, jade axeheads, and stone arm rings have been discovered near the stones.

There are numerous local legends about the Carnac stones. One popular folktale states that the Carnac stones are a petrified Roman army who were turned to stone by the Wizard Merlin of Arthurian Legend fame. French farmers have long believed that Carnac stones were used to keep track of the seasons, or pay homage to a pagan farm spirit.

From October-March, visitors can wander among the Carnac stones for free. From April-September, travelers must be part of a tour group to view the Carnac stones. The Carnac stones are divided into four alignments. It is easy to spend a few hours wandering among the carefully placed stones, coming up with your own backstory about what they are for, and why they stand where they do.

Not far from the the Carnac stones is the Gulf of Morbihan—a gorgeous stretch of coast that is ideal for sailing, long bike rides next to crashing waves, and island hoping. Visitors can tour an oyster farm, board a ferry and explore picturesque islands such Ile aux Moines, or visit a bird refuge. Water that shifts from blue to green and beaches that are often shrouded in morning mist conjure visions of Brittany’s mythical past, when King Arthur and Merlin the Wizard were rumored to have stood on the Gulf of Morbihan’s shores.

The cozy village of Vannes—which is located near Carnac and the Gulf of Morbihan— is home to several comfortable and affordable hotels and spas. The Villa Kerasy Hotel Spa features elegant Asian-themed decor and a lovely Japanese garden. The Padja Hotel and Spa features comfortable beds, a sauna, and a swimming pool. Visitors can enjoy the old-world beauty of Vannes while still enjoying the modern state-of-the-art amenities that the village’s hotels have to offer.

Historians may never know the exact reason that the Carnac stones came into being—which makes the unsolved historical mysteries of Brittany even more fun to explore.