THE CAIRN OF BARNENEZ

Just 25 minutes from Locquirec, in Plouzeoc’h in North Finistère, discover the largest megalithic mausoleum in Europe: the Cairn of Barnenez.

This monument is home to several tombs, some of which are vaulted, making them the oldest known vaults in the world (2,000 years before the pyramids of Egypt)!

A cairn is a stone structure built by Neolithic communities, covering one or more covered walkways.

The monument dominates the Bay of Morlaix, signalling the existence and power of the community that lived there several millennia ago; the site, forgotten and degraded in modern times, was saved from demolition by its classification as a Historic Monument. Owned by the French state, the monument has been restored but continues to be the subject of fascinating archaeological studies, with recent discoveries concerning the presence of ‘paintings’ on the walls of the interior passages.

The Grand Cairn de Barnenez is open every day except public holidays.