What to see in France

Discover Carnac on a campsite

Carnac
Carnac

Dive into Prehistory and Breton legends with the famous megalithic alignments of Carnac, an iconic destination for your camping holiday in Brittany. With its sandy beaches, Neolithic sites and invigorating seaside atmosphere, this resort is an excellent base for exploring the Gulf of Morbihan and the Atlantic coast.

In southern Brittany, on the Atlantic coast, in the department of Morbihan, the seaside resort of Carnac is located between Plouharnel and La Trinité-sur-Mer, less than 15 km south-west of Auray. Stretching between land and sea, the commune offers dunes, moors, woods, fields and wetlands, dotted with chapels and calvaries.

Stay at a campsite near the seaside resort of Carnac

The heated (and sometimes covered) swimming pool at Les Pirates de Carnac campsite
The heated (and sometimes covered) swimming pool at Les Pirates de Carnac campsite © LES BRUYÈRES DE CARNAC (Carnac - 56)

The region offers a wide selection of campsites, close to beaches and megalithic sites or quietly located in the Morbihan countryside. You will find traditional pitches or 2- to 5-star mobile home and chalet rentals, some with swimming pools or family activities.

Discover a selection of campsites near Carnac:

  • Camping Les Pirates de Carnac****: located in Carnac itself, this family campsite offers a heated swimming pool and entertainment for children and adults, just a few minutes from the beaches and town centre.
  • Camping Kerzerho****: in Érdeven, west of Carnac, this upmarket campsite offers direct access to the beach, a water park and premium services, ideal for a comfortable family holiday.
  • Camping La Plage****: located in La Trinité-sur-Mer, east of Carnac, perfect for sailing enthusiasts and families wishing to enjoy the Morbihan coastline, the campsite is a stone's throw from a beautiful sandy beach.
  • Camping Le Moteno****: in Plouhinec, south of Carnac, this family campsite offers a natural and peaceful setting, with access to unspoilt beaches and water sports in the region.

This organisation allows us to offer your readers several camping options, depending on whether they wish to stay in Carnac itself or in neighbouring towns for a variety of landscapes and experiences.

Strange menhirs and a unique heritage

 The famous menhirs of Carnac
The famous menhirs of Carnac© Thinkstock

A stop at the Museum of Prehistory is a must. It has splendid collections that take you on a journey through more than 450,000 years, with over 6,000 objects, maps, models and fun activities.

Then, go and admire the astonishing alignments of more than 3,000 menhirs of all sizes, dating from 4,000 to 6,000 years ago and spread across the sites of Ménec, Kermario and Kerlescan, as well as a few dolmens. Their origins, which remain a mystery, are explained at the Maison des Mégalithes.

The Saint-Michel chapel, at the top of a tumulus
The Saint-Michel chapel, at the top of a tumulus© iStock

To round off this archaeological walk, don't miss the equally intriguing 12-metre-high Saint-Michel burial mound topped by a chapel, followed by the picturesque Saint-Cornély Church (17th-18th century), adorned with a pyramidal spire, which celebrates the cult of horned animals.

Beaches and seaside: time for a swim in Carnac

Sunset on Carnac's main beach
Sunset on Carnac's main beach© iStock

Carnac offers several fine sandy beaches, ideal for swimming, relaxing or water sports.

The large beach at Carnac, particularly suitable for families and facing south, stretches languidly, well sheltered at the end of the pretty Quiberon Bay, ranked among the most beautiful in the world. This is where beautiful colourful villas line the shore.

Légénèse beach in Carnac
Légénèse beach in Carnac© iStock

Nearby, the beaches of Légenèse, Men Du and Saint-Colomban offer more intimate settings, bordered by pine forests, some of which are supervised in summer for safe swimming.

The quays of Port-en-Dro are ideal for fishing or pleasure boating, and there is a large thalassotherapy centre nestled near the old salt marshes for those who wish to relax.

The coastline is also ideal for walks along the dunes and moors, with beautiful views of the ocean and the boats of the Gulf of Morbihan.

Walking or cycling

Cycling between the menhirs of Carnac
Cycling between the menhirs of Carnac© iStock

The network of cycle paths and footpaths around Carnac is ideal for pleasant walks with family or friends, combining heritage and nature. Among the must-sees are the fountain and chapel of Saint-Colomban, the picturesque little oyster port of Anse du Pô, and the dunes and moors that shape the local landscape.

Hiking in the Carnac area
Hiking in the Carnac area© iStock

The sunny, mild climate is ideal for palm trees, mimosas, arbutus trees, eucalyptus trees and holm oaks, complemented by the generous flowering of the streets. Leisure activities and shows take place at the Césarine garden's open-air theatre, often featuring Breton dance and music.

Around Carnac: excursions and discoveries

Quiberon Bay in Brittany
Quiberon Bay in Brittany© IStock

From Carnac, it is easy to get away and explore the surrounding area. To the west, explore the spectacular rocks of the wild coast of the Quiberon peninsula, as well as the islands near the Gulf of Morbihan such as Belle-Ile-en-Mer, or the lesser-known islands of Houat and Hoëdic.

To the east, the salt marshes of Kerdual and Kervillen coves lead you to La Trinité-sur-Mer, a mecca for sailing and tourism, with the residential site of the shaded Kerbihan point in particular.

Finally, don't hesitate to head north to discover the exceptional heritage of the historic towns of Auray and Vannes, as well as the popular pilgrimage sanctuary of Sainte-Anne d'Auray.

 

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