The Megaliths of Carnac

Stone Circles / Cromlechs / Enclosures

Cromlechs, also called stone circles or enclosures, are quite rare in Brittany. Some are circular but most are oval or barrel-shaped. Rarely, they are quadrilateral. The stones are often placed close beside each other, hence the name enclosure. At least 4 cromlechs were associated with the alignments at Carnac.

Below is a map showing the location of cromlechs/stone circles in the Carnac/Gulf of Morbihan area.

Click on map to see enlargement

Le Ménec	2 circles, one at west end of Le Ménec alignments and one at east end Le Ménec village is built in the western circle which is 90 meters by 70 meters and contains 70 stones, most adjacent, most 1.5 to 2 meters tall Circle at east end of alignments is built of smaller stones, many of which have been plundered
Kerlescan Model of Kerlescan	At west end of Kerlescan alignments there is a barrel-shaped cromlech or quadrilateral of 39 stones, many adjacent (photos)   100 meters north of Kerlescan alignments is another stone circle, a flattened circle, more than 90 meters across, with at least 42 stones. The area is very overgrown and we could not find the circle.   The photograph of the model of the Kerlescan site shows the barrel-shaped cromlech or quadrilateral at the west end of the alignments. Above it is the large stone circle. Click on the photo to see a large-scale photo.
Kermario	West end of Kermario alignments, stone holes under present car park
Crucuny	2 km north of Le Menac 40-50 meter diameter cromlech, half destroyed, large menhir about 50 meters to northeast
Kercado	Circle around Kercado tumulus Diameter 35-40 meters, stones about 0.5 meters high, widely spaced Unknown whether circle is same age or younger than tumulus
Quadrilateral	200 meters north of east end of Kermario alignments. 50 meters northwest of Le Géant menhir About 40 meters long by 10 meters wide Stones are quite small, 0.5 to 1 meter, and adjacent
Kerzerho	Western end of Kerzerho alignments, 1 km southwest of Erdevan. On private property across road from alignments Badly destroyed Large stones about 2 meters tall
Chaise de César (Caesar's Chair)	Eastern end of alignments Stones not adjacent, 1 to 2 meters tall
Crucuno	2.5 km southeast of Erdevan, 0.5 km east of Crucuno village Rectangle, 22 stones, 1.5 to 2 meters tall Sides run north-south and east-west (unknown whether restored but unmaintained at present, i.e. very thorny!)
St. Pièrre de Quiberon	In southern part of town Associated with alignment Stones about 1.5 meters tall, adjacent
Ile d'Er Lannic	Island south of Gavr'Inis in Gulf of Morbihan 2 tangential circles; 28 stones in north circle, 32 in south circle; stones 2-5 meters high Half of north circle and all of south circle are submerged; evidence that sea level has risen and Gulf flooded since circles were built The aerial photograph of Er Lannic was taken by JJ Evendon who has kindly permitted me to show it here. Click on the photo or here to see the full-sized picture. The partially submerged circle is on the right side of the island. Half of the second circle is just visible at the right edge of the photo. Many thanks JJ for this photograph.
Île aux Moines	Île aux Moines, largest island in Gulf of Morbihan, has at least 3 dolmen, a menhir, and a stone circle Stone circle, 48 stones, between Kerscot and Kergonan

Except the aerial photos of Er Lannic by JJ Evendon, all photographs were taken by myself, during trips to the megaliths of Carnac in 1980, 1983, 1994, 1998, and 2002. All photographs are my property and may not be copied or used without my written permission.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Types of Megaliths
of Carnac

• Alignments
• Stone Circles
• Dolmen
• Tumuli
• Standing Stones
• Engravings

Databank

Links