The Carnac alignements

The carnac alignments

The first alignments of menhirs appeared during the neolithic period. A source of myths and legends, the stones were long thought to have been erected by giants. Today, although many questions remain, archaeologists agree that these alignments bear witness not only to the transformation of religious practices, but also to prehistoric man's desire to leave a mark on his territory.

The Carnac alignments are exceptional because of their size-they extend over 4 kilometres-and because of the number of surviving menhirs-despite some destruction, there are still nearly three thousand of them. The site also features dolmens and tumuli, funerary monuments.

Surprisingly, it was not until the early 19th century that the alignments aroused interest beyond simple scholarly curiosity. In 1834 Victor Hugo wrote that the Carnac menhirs « are hugely impressive ». Eugène Sue went into raptures over the « gigantic pillars of a temple vaulted by the sky ». Guy de Maupassant later remarked : « When one looks at them steadily they seem to move, to bend, to become infused with life ! »

« On this pink expanse stands an entire people, an entire people of menhirs with the bearing of weary, hunchbacked giants. I lie in the heather and look up at the world of old stone ghosts rising beneath the heavy grey sky. »
Pierre Loti, Journal, 27 June 1879.