Free walking tours in Locmariaquer and what to see

Must-sees

Locmariaquer occupies a peninsula between the Gulf of Morbihan and Quiberon Bay, and the area is full of Stone Age monuments. Its main visit is the megalithic site run by the Centre des monuments nationaux, which brings together three Neolithic monuments: the great broken menhir, which was some 21 metres tall and now lies broken on the ground, the Table des Marchand dolmen, with engraved slabs inside, and the Er Grah tumulus.

Outside that site, the area is dotted with dolmens, menhirs and tumuli you can see in the open air, such as the Mané Lud, Kerlud and Mané Rethual dolmens, the Mané er Hroëk tumulus and the Men Bronzo menhirs. The coast completes the trip: the small harbour, the beaches and the Pointe de Kerpenhir, at the entrance to the gulf, with views of Port-Navalo and Quiberon Bay. There are oyster farms in the area where you can taste them.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Locmariaquer. The usual thing is to buy a ticket for the megalithic site, which Civitatis also sells, and explore the other monuments on your own using the waymarked routes leading from the village. There are walking and cycling routes linking dolmens, menhirs and the coast. Boats leave the harbour and neighbouring villages to tour the Gulf of Morbihan.

How long to spend

The megalithic site can be seen in an hour or an hour and a half. If you add the walking circuit around the other monuments, about ten kilometres, allow a full day with a lunch stop at the harbour. With two days you can add a boat trip on the gulf or visit the Carnac alignments, a short drive away.

Where to stay

Locmariaquer has small hotels, guest rooms, holiday homes and campsites, many a short distance from the harbour or the beaches. It is a quiet village outside summer and in high demand in July and August, so book early. If you can’t find anywhere, Auray, La Trinité-sur-Mer and Carnac have more choice a few kilometres away.