Locmariaquer Megaliths

The megalithic complex at Locmariaquer, on the strait at the mouth of the Gulf of Morbihan, contains three astonishing Neolithic monuments within a few hundred metres of each other. The Grand Menhir Brisé — the "Great Broken Menhir" — was once the largest standing stone in Europe and now lies in four enormous pieces on the ground. The Table des Marchands is a covered burial chamber with elaborate carved decoration. The Er Grah tumulus is a 140-metre-long earthwork dating to around 4200 BCE.

The site is managed by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux and has a small interpretive museum. It is much less crowded than Carnac and arguably more impressive. Allow two hours.

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A story
The Grand Menhir Brisé was originally a single standing stone weighing 280 tonnes and rising 21 metres into the air — the largest single block of stone ever erected by Neolithic Europeans. It fell, perhaps in an earthquake around 4500 BCE, and broke into four pieces. The pieces still lie where they fell.

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