Maison des Mégalithes
Visitor centre for the Alignments of Carnac: video, digital mediation and free exhibitions, starting point for guided tours of the megaliths.
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About the museum
The Alignments of Carnac were erected about 6,500 years ago in the Neolithic period and are among the oldest megalithic structures in Western Europe. Some 3,000 standing stones are spread across five sites: Le Ménec, Kermario, Le Manio II, Kerlescan and Le Petit Ménec. Recent preventive excavations have yielded dates that mostly fall between 4,800 and 3,500 BC. In July 2025, the Megaliths of Carnac and the shores of the Morbihan were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Maison des Mégalithes serves as the reception building and starting point for independent visits. Here visitors can prepare their visit at their own pace with an introductory video, digital mediation and free-access exhibitions. There is also the ticket desk for guided tours, the shop and a drinks machine.
The site is managed by the Centre des monuments nationaux. Visitors can walk a free marked path around the Alignments, or join a guided tour of about one hour among the stones.
Highlights
- Introductory video and digital mediation
- Free-access exhibitions, free of charge
- Start of the free megaliths path
- Guided tours of the Alignments, about one hour
- Family workshops during school holidays
- Web app for visiting in French, English and Spanish
Permanent exhibition
- Expositions et vidéo de présentation à la Maison des mégalithes – Introductory video, digital mediation and free-access exhibitions to prepare a visit to the Alignments.
- Operated by
- Centre des monuments nationaux
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | –Guided tour: €6 for ages 7 to 17 (also for architecture students, job seekers, recipients of minimum social benefits and holders of the Passion monuments card); free for children under 7 accompanied by family, excluding school groups. |
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| Visitors with disabilities | –On guided tours, reduced rate for the person with a disability and their companion. |
| Groups | –Lecture tour: flat fee of €200 plus €5 per person; booking through the dedicated department. |
| Guided tour of the Alignments, individual rate | €13The ticket gives access to a lecture tour with a guide at one of the main sites. |
| Guided tour, special rate (partnerships) | €11 |
| Guided tour, ages 7–17 and reduced rate | €6 |
Access to the Maison des Mégalithes and the path around the Alignments is free; only the guided tour is paid. The Pass des mégalithes (five partner sites: Alignments of Carnac, megalith site of Locmariaquer, Musée de Préhistoire de Carnac, Gavrinis cairn, Petit-Mont cairn) offers a reduced rate from the second monument visited. Free with the Carte Culture and the CMN card. Payment by cash, bank card, cheque, chèque Culture and ANCV holiday vouchers.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Access to the Maison des Mégalithes is free. A 700 m loop around the Alignments du Ménec is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. Strollers are not recommended at the sites, where the ground is not passable. A public accessibility register is published; adapted guided tours are offered to visitors with disabilities.
Kids & families
Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 6+
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly: not available
A guided tour is recommended from age 6. During school holidays, family workshops follow a guided tour: “1, 2, 3 menhirs” (children aged 4 to 6 accompanied by an adult, 1 hour 30 minutes), “Apprentis bâtisseurs” (from age 7, 2 hours 30 minutes) and “Gestes de la Préhistoire” (from age 7). Strollers are not recommended at the sites.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Auray railway station, then bus to Carnac (Breizh Go network); Glazgo shuttles in high season.
By car
Parking available
The car park of the Maison des Mégalithes is reserved for visitors holding a guided tour or workshop ticket. When busy, the municipal car park of the Alignments, 900 m away (entrance via the Allée des Alouettes, north of the Alignments du Ménec), is open to visitors; motorhome parking available.
By car from Auray: towards Carnac – Quiberon via the D 768 to the Purgatoire roundabout, then the D 119 towards Carnac; follow “Alignements du Ménec”. One-way traffic on a road shared with pedestrians and cyclists. Bicycle parking and a repair kit are available on request at reception.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Museum shop
- Coat check: not available
Drinks machine in the Maison des Mégalithes; ice cream vendor (Le Verger perdu) on the forecourt in summer. No left-luggage facility at reception. Dogs are allowed inside the building in a bag or backpack.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
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| Audio guide | yes (FR, EN, ES) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours take place outdoors: bring closed shoes, seasonal clothing, water and sun protection. Tours in foreign languages in high season. In extreme heat, some tours may be changed or cancelled. A free web app (no download required) offers three routes in French, English and Spanish. Dogs are not permitted on guided tours. |
