We love to travel, and 2020 was supposed to be a big travel year for us. Like the rest of you, that didn't happen. 2021 hasn't been so good either!
We're still dreaming about travel, reading about new destinations, and making (tentative) plans for the future. We hope all of you are well and staying safe... and that you find some inspiration here for YOUR future travels.
Let's hope we can all be traveling again in 2022!
You've heard of Stonehenge, but how about Carnac?
Never heard of it?
It's in Western France, in Brittany (Bretagne).
You should plan a trip to Brittany if you liked seeing ancient monuments like Stonehenge, Avebury and others.
Rent a car in Paris and drive. It's about a 6 hour drive southwest of Paris.
We went a few years ago, and we had a ball exploring a part of France that the French love, but not many other tourists go to.
This whole area is an important site in France for ancient megaliths.
The stone circle at Stonehenge is more photographed and easily recognizable...
...but for the sheer number of stones and amazing geometry you can't beat the grand alignments at Menec and Kermario.
What do we mean alignments? You're thinking... "Don't you find these standing stones as circles or single stones or dolmens or something like that?"
The answer is.... Not always... these are different.
The stones of Le Ménec in Carnac are arranged in "alignments" that date back about 4,000 years.
There are over 1,000 megaliths of granite.
The largest are over 12 feet tall (about 4 meters).
They are arranged in 11 parallel rows, which run for over a mile (about 2 km).
Some guides say they ran for 2 1/2 miles (4 km). When you see them, all you really know is that it's amazing to see the rows marching through the countryside the way they do.
Scientists have determined that there were originally twelve rows. Many of the stones were taken away to use for buildings through the centuries.
Of the stones that remain, many had toppled over and have been raised back into place.
The stones decrease in size and height along the length of the alignment and also across it. Experts puzzle over the reason for that.
Local tradition says that the reason the stones stand in such straight lines is that they are a Roman Legion turned to stone by Merlin.
That magician gets around doesn't he? He was supposed to be involved with moving the megaliths to Stonehenge too.
Brittany has its own local versions of the Arthurian legends.
As with other ancient stone monuments, these alignments are thought to be associated with astronomical and religious rituals of some sort. These may have been used for calculating the phases of the moon.
The area is rich in other groups of standing stones...
The Kermario Alignment is another that impressed us....
There are tombs, dolmens, and other megalithic monuments, such as the "alles
couverts"... these are 3rd and 4th century BC grave sites.
To find them, the best thing to do is get a map from the tourist bureau and poke around the area.
Brochures on the area say the peninsula and the Golfe du Morbihan enjoy a warm micro climate, but Brittany weather is dominated by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean...
The weather can be cold and wet at any time of the year... so take a sweater and umbrella even in the summer.
If you don't want to make the drive from Paris, you can take the TGV train to Auray. The train ride is only 3 hours.
Carnac is about 12 km From Auray so from there you could take a bus or taxi.
There is still the problem of getting around to all of the different alignments. You could rent a bike or a scooter, but a rental car still might be the way you want to go in the area.
Stay at a little local hotel near the beach.
Try a little cider (cidre), but be careful... it's made with fermented apples so it has a little alcoholic kick.
Have crepes which are also a local specialty.
We had no problem finding hotels and restaurants.
So take a few days to explore the ancient French alignments at Carnac.
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
Curious about what else we've written about? Search our site for a destination or travel tip.
But... We'd love to have you share this page or comment on it…
Thanks, Judy and Mark
Return to International Travel Tips
Go from Carnac to MouseToursTravels Home Page
The Holidays are Here!
Time to remind you we have tips on
Surviving Holiday Flights
Holiday flight may be more frustrating than usual. Try to stay calm.
Remember, if you DO travel and if you’re carrying gifts, it’s better not to wrap them… airport security might make you open them!
And if you're not traveling far, reminisce about past trips.
European Christmas Markets
German Christmas Markets
Seiffen Germany Makes Christmas Decorations
Cold Weather Packing List
The holidays can be hectic, but treat yourself...
Take the holiday time to explore more pages here... Get ideas for travel destinations and how to get there.
NOW is the time to start planning for a great trip next year.
Need Travel Ideas?
Things to See in Europe
Africa Calls!
Travel In America
Don't just dream about it...
Start making plans!
Custom Tour Planning List
International Travel Planning Tips
Foreign Is Fun - Not Scary!
Get Your Passports and Visas
Search MouseToursTravels
Travel questions or destination info?
Find our answers faster...
We want you to feel comfortable out in the world and on our pages - so surf away in your own language...
Our 2021 travels were only domestic. COVID kept us close home. Road trips and a cautious flights but still fun.
Our 2020 travels were slim. COVID kept us home too. One trip to the Three Guyanas, but dreaming of travel next year.
Love discovering less touristed regions? The three Guyanas are tucked up in the north east corner of South America that doesn’t get much attention.
Like Our Site Top Left
Like Our Fanpage Below
Thank You!
Carnac - Megaliths!
Drive Through Brittany
Drive Through Normandy
Giverny
Mont Saint Michel
Normandy Beaches
Ideas
Road Trip Ideas
Packing for roadtrips
General Information
Worldwide Roadtrips
Foreign Rental Cars
Driving In Foreign Places
Driving On the Left
Toll Roads
What Is A Highway
US Highways
Highways or Backroads
Reading Roadmaps
Know The Rules
International Roadsigns
Traffic Laws Abroad
Autobahn Etiquette
Parking In Cities
RV Stuff
RV Road Trip
Rent An RV
Traveling With An RV
RV Travel In Europe
Sharing An RV
And Just For Fun
Amusing Confusing Roadsigns
Funny Polish Detour Sign
Border Crossings
Document Rental Car Damage
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Did it help with your travel planning and preparation? Eager to leave on that next vacation? Please leave your tips or comments in the box below.