Keep exploring

Let’s pause the walk for a moment and look at a few places you might want to visit around Carnac. The area is full of remarkable sites, and it would be a shame to miss them! First, head to Saint-Colomban, an old Breton hamlet with a lovely 16th-century chapel.

From there, you can continue to the Bay of Pô, Carnac’s main oyster-farming area. About ten minutes from Carnac, it’s also worth stopping in La Trinité-sur-Mer. Its harbor is home to small sailboats as well as impressive racing yachts and giant trimarans.

It’s a great place to stroll along the waterfront, have a drink overlooking the boats, or follow the coastal path for beautiful views across the bay. If you’d like to continue exploring the region’s prehistoric past, head to Locmariaquer, about 25 minutes away. That’s where you can see the famous Grand Menhir Brisé.

Now lying on the ground in four pieces, this enormous block of granite once stood nearly 21 meters (69 feet) tall. Another excursion not to miss is the port of Saint-Goustan in Auray. With its waterfront, colorful half-timbered houses, stone bridge, and cobbled lanes, it’s one of the most charming places in the area.

Benjamin Franklin also landed here in 1776 when he came to France to seek support for the cause of American independence. For somewhere quieter and more secluded, head to Saint-Cado in the Étel estuary. This tiny island is connected to the shore by an old stone bridge.

Just across the water, you’ll spot the famous house with blue shutters on the islet of Nichtarguer, which seems to float in the middle of the water. Prefer wide-open landscapes? Then make your way to the Quiberon Peninsula and its Côte Sauvage, or Wild Coast.

With cliffs, rocky coves, natural arches, and powerful waves, the scenery is spectacular. And for a truly exceptional visit, consider the Gavrinis Cairn, located on an island in the Gulf of Morbihan. More than 6,000 years old, this monument contains a long passage lined with stone slabs covered in mysterious carvings.

With all that, you’ll have plenty of ideas for making the most of your time in the region!