IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE PAST
Discover Carnac in Morbihan
Where is Carnac?
Are you planning to book your next vacation in Morbihan? Take advantage of our campsite near Vannes in Brittany to discover the Gulf of Morbihan.
Between the Gulf of Morbihan and the Quiberon peninsula, the town of Carnac borders Auray and La Trinité-sur-Mer to the east, and Plouharnel and Saint-Pierre-de-Quiberon to the west.
Its coastline faces due south, in the Bay of Quiberon. Inland, Carnac stretches as far as Ploemel. It’s the ideal place for a family vacation in Breton country, on the sandy beaches and cliffs of southern Brittany.
World-famous for its alignments of menhirs (Breton megaliths), Carnac is also a popular seaside resort with a marina and welcoming family beaches in southern Morbihan, protected from westerly winds by the Quiberon peninsula.
Time travel
What to do in Carnac when it rains?
- The Musée de la Préhistoire (Prehistory Museum): several hundred thousand years of history are traced through one of France’s most important archaeological collections. Workshops and game trails await children.
- Saint-Cornély church: one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Morbihan, a jewel of the Renaissance style, with a carved baldachin porch unique in Brittany. Its interiors are also full of treasures, including a listed 18th-century organ.
- Thalasso de Carnac: in an exceptional natural setting, a marine spa, beauty center, thalassotherapy facilities and two restaurants await you, for an afternoon or a day of absolute relaxation.
- Carnac Casino: on the edge of the Salines, with slot machines and gaming tables, as well as a restaurant with a breathtaking view of the ancient salt marshes.
- The Rex cinema: an art-house cinema with air-conditioned rooms equipped with digital projection and sound.
- Carnac market: one of the finest markets in Morbihan, renowned for its local specialities.
The Carnac alignments
Perhaps you’ve heard of the famous alignments of Carnac?
Carnac is especially famous for its menhirs and dolmens, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2025: complex megalithic alignments of giant stones with mysterious engravings whose purpose in the Neolithic period, 5,000 years BC, is still unknown.
More than 4,000 granite stones stretching over 4 kilometers form 4 main alignments, the largest of which, the Alignements du Ménec, comprises 1,099 menhirs measuring 1,165 meters in length and 100 meters in width.
There are also several tumuli hiding what appear to be prestigious burial vaults. In summer, the only way to visit the site is to take a lecture tour.
These are organized daily to learn more about the site.
Cost €9 per adult and €5 per child aged 7 to 17 inclusive. Reduced rates are available. In winter, the site is open to the public.
Leisure activities in Carnac
In addition to its megalithic sites, Carnac has plenty to keep tourists busy, whether on the beach, in the countryside or in town. There are many ways to visit Carnac: for example, you can tour the town in a horse-drawn carriage or on the Bayon tourist train. Leaving from the Ménec parking lot, the Bayon will take you around for just under an hour if you don’t make a stopover. Once you’ve seen the menhirs, head for the Musée de Préhistoire, where objects found at the region’s various archaeological sites are on display. Sports enthusiasts and budding adventurers can have an unforgettable time at the Parc Aventure Forêt Adrénaline: 18 accrobranche courses, 45 zip lines and an area for young children make for a fantastic half-day outing.
Prices range from €8 to €22 for 2.5 hours of activities. A wide range of water sports are available on the beaches near Carnac: surfing, paddleboarding, kitesurfing, sailing…
Paddleboarding and kitesurfing lessons are available at Carnac Évasion. And if you want to explore the seabed, there’s a diving center at the Carnac Yacht Club.
Thalasso enthusiasts can relax for a weekend or a whole week at the Thalazur Carnac spa at Hôtel Les Salines Thalazur, one of the best thalasso centers in Morbihan.
And if you’re there in early September, don’t miss the Terraqué festival, where music and the arts mix in several emblematic Carnac venues.
Restaurants in Carnac
- Le Péché Gourmand: at 62 avenue des Druides, a simple, gourmet address serving traditional French cuisine for an average bill per person of 8 to 27 euros.
- Le Petit Bedon: 106-108 avenue des Druides, this family-run restaurant focuses on seafood. Seafood dishes range from 10 to 30 euros, fish dishes from 15 to 28 euros, and Creole specialties.
- La Potinière: on avenue Miln, the trendy La Potinière welcomes fans of traditional cuisine. Fresh local produce and live music in the evenings.
- La Brigantine: a restaurant specializing in shellfish and seafood, located on rue Colary. In a resolutely marine decor, formulas and menus are available from 22 to 70 euros.
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