Visited 18.10.23
Dolmen de Kervilor Mané-Bras is located c. 250m N of Kermarquer, a small village in Morbihan. It consists of a sub-circular mound, measuring c. 30m in diameter, with three dolmens therein. There are two central dolmens with partially covered passages. Dolmen North-Central has a c. 5m passage running from ESE towards a square chamber measuring c. 3m. There is one capstone on the W end of the chamber. The South-Central dolmen has a c. 6m passage running ESE towards a sub-circular chamber measuring c. 3.5m in diameter. There is a large capstone on the junction of the chamber with the passage. Viewed from the E, these dolmen give the mound a pleasing symmetry. It is for that reason that I considered the dolmen on the S edge to be a later addition. Also, it is a simpler construction than the central Dolmens. Dolmen South has a c. 3m passage running SE towards an irregular quadrilateral chamber measuring c. 2m x 1.5m. There are no cover stones on Dolmen South.
I found Dolmen de Kervilor Mané-Bras by accident while looking for Dolmen de Kermarquer. I saw a wooden sign at 47.597594, -3.036248 on the roadside and followed the path through a wood for c. 200m to reach a large mound in a clearing.
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Visited 18.09.23
Le Petit Ménec Alignments is a full stop E of the Carnac Alignments. The stone rows wind through a small wood. There is a more intimate atmosphere in this less frequented site than in the popular massive alignments.
At the E end of the D196 after visiting the Kerlescan Alignments turn left along the D186 towards Auray. After c. 300m take the 1st right for Keriolet. Stay on this road for c. 300m to reach a lay-by on the left. The path to Alignements de Petit-Ménec is on the right-hand side of the road.
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Visited 18.09.23
The Quadrilataire de Manio is one of Carnac's more enigmatic monuments. It is difficult to imagine how this stone rectangle would have fitted into the Carnac Complex. The proximity of the Geant du Manio merely adds to the air of mystery.
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Visited 17.09.23
Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye S is located on a path in woods c. 300m W of Saint-Philibert in Morbihan. The ruined dolmen consists of a capstone c. 1.8m wide at ground level resting on one recumbent stone. There is a shallow hollow below the capstone.
There is a lay-by on the D781 at N47.590813, W3.010069. Walk 25m NE along the roadside to reach a track running S. After c. 110m walk straight into the trees avoiding private property. Continue along this path for another c. 200m to reach a junction. The ruined Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye N is located c. 10m E in a small clearing. After visiting this site return to the junction of paths, take the right path heading S. Follow this vague path for c. 130m to reach Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye S.
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Visited 17.09.23
Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye S is located on a path in woods c. 300m W of Saint-Philibert in Morbihan. The dolmen, which measures c. 1.5m high, is preserved in a fenced-off enclosure in a small clearing. The remains consist of a chamber with a large capstone measuring c. 2m wide. The chamber has a large flooring slab. An uncovered passage projects c. 1.5m ENE from the chamber.
There is a lay-by on the D781 at N47.590813, W3.010069. Walk 25m NE along the roadside to reach a track running S. After c. 110m walk straight into the trees avoiding private property. Continue along this path for another c. 200m to reach a junction. The ruined Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye N is located c. 10m E in a small clearing. After visiting this site return to the junction of paths, take the right path heading S. Follow this vague path for c. 130m to reach Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye S.
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Visited 17.09.23
There is a standing stone c. 150m WSW of the Le Chat Noir roundabout on the D781. A cul-de sac signed to Kerganoff is 75m W of the roundabout. There is a small lay-by on the left of the junction. Walk 10m S from the lay-by then head W into low shrubs for c. 40m to reach a clearing with Menhir de Kerangoff in the centre. The menhir is c. 1.8m high. The most notable feature of the stone is the concave South-East face.
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Visited 17.09.23
There is a ruined dolmen in a stand of pine trees on the end of the Pointe Er Hourél. It is only c. 40m from Quiberon Bay. The Dolmen de Pointe Er Hourél consists of 3 orthostats measuring c. 1.3m high and a recumbent capstone measuring c. 2m wide. The rare combination of the trees and the sea give this ancient monument a magical atmosphere.
The site is well frequented. Indeed, I had to wait 30 minutes for a French family to finish their picnic in the shade of the stones to get my photos.
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Visited 17.09.23
Dolmen de St Pierre Loperec is in a grass field on the edge of the coast. It is located on a mound in the centre of the field.
Take the Pointe er Ville turn off the Route de Saint-Pierre just after passing through Kerguérec. Park up after c. 300m. The road is restricted to authorised vehicles after this point. Walk S for c. 200m. Take a path heading S for c. 100m. Dolmen de St Pierre Loperec is c. 120m SE in the centre of a grassy field.
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Visited 17.09.23
There is a hidden dolmen c. 450m SW of the Le Chat Noir roundabout on the D781. A cul-de sac signed to Kerganoff is 300m SW of the roundabout. Follow the narrow lane for c. 200m to a dead-end. Dolmen de Kermané is on the left in a private garden. I was limited to taking pictures from outside the fence.
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Visited 17.09.23
Dolmen de Kercadoret is a neglected site in a shrubby wood N of the D781 on the NE edge of Kercadoret. There is a path off the D781 into a field on the NE edge of Kercadoret. Follow round the edge of the wood for c. 80m then follow the wood N for c. 20m to reach a vague path into the wood. Head NW for c. 20 yards through shrubbery to find the hidden dolmen. It is located at 47.58981 -2.9781 if you have a GPS app.
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Visited 16.09.23
The only alignments open to walk through on my visit were Menec and Kerlescan. Alignements de Kerlescan was the more impressive of the two with taller stones in the rows.
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Visited 16.09.23
Géant du Manio is a high and handsome standing stone in Manio Forest. The massive menhir reaches up to 6.5m. It is well sign-posted on a forest path c. 40m ESE of Quadratiere du Manio.
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Visited 16.09.23
Dolmen de Kermario is located in the SW corner of Alignement de Kermario, c. 40m SW from the nearest stone. It has the appearance of an Allee Couverte.
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Visited 16.09.23
The Alignements de Kermario were the most impressive of the Carnac Alignments due to the length of the stone rows and the impressive height of the megaliths forming the rows. Unfortunately I had to be content with external views of the stones as access was restricted. The best views were to be had from the Old Windmill platform.
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Visited 16.09.23
A one-way road is now in place adjacent to the Alignements de Ménec. It is possible to walk E from the Maison des Megalithes along the Alignements de Ménec but you must drive W along the road following the stone rows. It is a c. 4 km walk E along the Carnac alignments. After visiting Alignements de Ménec and Toulchignon I elected to return to the Maison des Megalithes. I drove the loop to Alignements de Kermario Car Parking to continue my tour.
It is possible to take the Petit Train or several other Carnac alignment tours located on the approach to the Maison des Megalithes. Parking at the Maison des Megalithes is free.
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Visited 16.09.23
Tumulus de St Michel is located on the NE edge of Carnac. Hotel du Tumulus is conveniently located adjacent to the giant mound. A small chapel is perched on the summit of the mound. There are two modern entrances, on the S and W sides, into the two chambers and passages buried within the tumulus. However, these are only accessible on guided tours. Despite the encroachment of modernity, Tumulus de St Michel manages to retain its gravitas.
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Visited 15.09.23
Dolmen de Lannek-er-Men is located in Port Brillac, a small village c. 4 km NW of Sarzeau in Morbihan. The chamber of this dolmen measures c. 3m x 2m x 0.6m. Two medium-sized capstones are supported by several orthostats on the NE and SW sides. There is a large floor slab in the NW half of the chamber.
The dolmen is wedged into a corner against a hedge in a grassy area, used as a car park on my visit. In fact, a BMW bumper was almost touching the dolmen. My picture options were restricted to lateral views.
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Visited 15.09.23
Menhir de Kermaillard is a massive standing stone, sub-rectangular in cross section, measuring c. 1.7m long and 1.2m wide. This dressed pillar rises to a point at c. 4m. There is a square measuring c. 0.6m and a crescent carved in bas-relief on the base of the WSW face. A small axe carved on the left of the square is no longer visible. Proposed carvings on the ENE face are not visible in bright light.
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Visited 15.09.23
Allee Couverte de Grah-Niol is located on a narrow lane on the Northern edge of Arzon. There is convenient parking 50m N of the site. Unfortunately there is a low fence round the allee-couverte denying any internal access. This is unfortunate as there are carved stones inside the passage of the monument. A standing stone is erected on the E end of Allee Couverte de Grah-Niol, on the roadside.
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Visited 15.09.23
It is only 6 euros to access the Cairn de Petit Mont. Given the size and quality of the site that is good value. It includes a group tour in French of the Cairn & Dolmen 3a, which is off limits without a tour guide. I requested some English commentary and the guide was obliging enough to give me a short lecture in English in the chamber. I was also able to take photos.
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I love to travel, especially to antiquarian sites. I'm working through the extensive Cornwall site list with an annual week holiday. Avebury is my favourite spiritual destination. Las Vegas is my favourite sinful destination.
I also enjoy hill climbing however as time passes the hills grow steeper. I have climbed around 30 munros, however, I've also climbed The Cobbler, Stac Pollaidh and Suilven so height is not the only criteria.
I used to play golf (9 handicap) and support Queen of the South however I gave up both bad habits. Horse racing was a more recent obsession. Epsom and Newmarket are my favourite racecourses. At the moment my current obsession is music gigs: Arcade Fire, Dinosaur Jr, Sparks, Jesus and Mary Chain and Belle & Sebastian, my favourite band.
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