The must-see sites of Morbihan
Discover sites just a few kilometres from Carnac that are not to be missed during your holidays in Morbihan.
Exceptional landscapes, fishing ports and marinas, ‘Towns of Art and History’ and megaliths: discover Morbihan’s must-see tourist sites. Open your eyes wide and enjoy some beautiful discoveries by the sea or in the countryside!
La Trinité sur Mer
Five kilometres from Carnac, La Trinité sur Mer offers sandy beaches, a well-known marina and water sports. The marina is the meeting place for lovers of the sea and renowned skippers. Admire this famous port from the heights of the Kerisper Bridge.
Quiberon and its peninsula
If you are staying in Carnac, head to the Quiberon peninsula for the day. Plouharnel, at the mouth of Quiberon Bay, will appeal to board sports and other water sports enthusiasts. A single road with a breathtaking view of the sea leads to Quiberon, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The wild coastland stretches over 8 km; a coastal road enables you to discover this natural site. You can a trip to the islands from the fishing harbour (tickets are on sale at the Carnac Tourist Office).
No vehicle or want to avoid traffic jams? Take the ‘tire-bouchon’, the summer train, from Plouharnel or Auray.
La Ria d’Etel
Discover the old tuna-fishing port of Etel and the Ria d’Etel, 15 km from Carnac. Explore the riverside by car or on foot or take a boat trip on river. From April to September, you can enjoy a cruise with commentary from the port of Etel with the company Navix. You will love the iconic islet of Saint Cado, with its picturesque village and famous fisherman’s house with blue shutters.
Auray
Located 15 km from Carnac, the small town of Auray has an appealing historical and architectural heritage. Stroll trhough its bustling town centre and the port of Saint Goustan. Walk around the ramparts of the Loch to admire the panoramic view of the harbour. From the Quai Franklin, continue alongside the Auray river, ria du Loch, for a walk to Bono. In the summer, you can board a Navix speedboat in Auray to explore the Auray river and the Gulf of Morbihan (tickets are on sale at the Carnac Tourist Office).
Vannes
Nestled in the Gulf of Morbihan, 30 minutes from Carnac, the city of Vannes has a fine natural and historical heritage. The capital of Morbihan, a marina, a fortified place, a medieval city: enjoy exploring this ‘City of Art and History’, which dates from the third century.
Visit its ramparts, its parks and the Musée des Beaux Arts. Stroll through the alleys of the historic centre to view the half-timbered houses and Saint Pierre Cathedral.
The Gulf of Morbihan and the Rhuys Peninsula
Take a walk, or a boat trip, to explore the Gulf of Morbihan and the Rhuys Peninsula, where many viewpoints offer you breathtaking panoramas.
Escape to an island and explore the wilderness of one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Discover the maze of islands on a cruise and roam around the two largest islands in the Gulf of Morbihan: Île aux Moines and Île d’Arz. To be safe, buy your tickets at the Carnac Tourist Office and take a cruise with one of our various partner companies.
Departing from Port Blanc, Locmariaquer or La Trinité sur Mer (in high season), you can stop over on an island for a day or just a few hours. Discover the wild and unspoilt islands on foot or by bike.
Between the Gulf of Morbihan and the Atlantic Ocean, discover the Rhuys Peninsula and its two harbours: Port Crouesty, a large marina, and Port Navalo, at the entrance to the Gulf of Morbihan, where you can observe impressive currents. Travel through history on a visit to the Château de Suscinio, former residence of the Dukes of Brittany, in Sarzeau.
Megalithic sites
in Morbihan
The region of Carnac and South Morbihan is one of the most important places for megaliths in the world. More than 550 megalithic sites have been identified in the Morbihan département of Brittany. An application has been made to UNESCO to have the megaliths listed as a World Heritage Site.
At the entrance to the Gulf of Morbihan, the Locmariaquer megalithic site includes three exceptional megalithic monuments: the Broken Menhir, an enormous block of granite over 20 metres long, today in four pieces, the Table des Marchands dolmen, a passage grave with decorated slabs, and the Er Grah Tumulus, a closed individual tomb.
Find out more
To visit the Cairn de Gavrinis, take the boat from Larmor-Baden to Îsle de Gavrinis. You can visit the cairn, which dates from 3500 BC, on a guided tour from April to September. Reservation required.
Located on a promontory in the centre of the Rhuys Peninsula, the Cairn du Petit Mont overlooks the ocean and the Gulf of Morbihan. The Petit Mont is 36 metres at its highest point and offers an exceptional view of the horizon.
©Laurent Rannou
©Fanch Galivel – Paysages de Mégalithes
There are many monuments scattered throughout the region, including the Kerzerho alignments in Erdeven, the Tumulus Saint Michel in Carnac and the Beg Er Goh Lannec Menhir in Quiberon.
