In the southern Morbihan we are in the centre of one of the most important concentrations of megaliths in the world. On the islands and coastlines, in the woods and inland on the moors, these landmarks bearing witness to neolithic civilisations have not yet told all their secrets. The countless standing stones, dolmens and burial mounds (tumulus) teach us much about ancient ways of life, yet still preserve a great deal of their mystery.

Most of the megalithic sites in the Morbihan have been developed or are easily accessible and signposted. Others are still half-hidden in the countryside: it is up to you to discover them. For example, the Cromlec'h (stone circles) in Er Lannic can only be seen from a boat. From the islands in the Gulf to the moorlands of Lanvaux, and close to Carnac or Locmariaquer, these monuments give a sense of eternity to our countryside

A good place to visit ancient stones and yet avoid the crowds at Carnac (where the stones are fenced off anyway) is near Erdeven. From the town take the D781 south and you will literally drive through the lines of stones. In a previous era the stones were simply lifted out of the way to make room for the road. The monument is somewhat neglected, so it is still possible to wander amongst the stones at will. They are known as the Alignment of Kerzehro and there are ten rows of them. There are actually more than a thousand stones here. There are also four massive granite blocks or menhirs, two still standing, two fallen to the ground, and they are known as the Giants of Kerzehro.

Nearer to La Roche-Bernard is that most atmospheric of neolithic monuments at St-Just. The monuments stretch across several kilometers of heathland, and include small lines of quartz standing stones, some from as early as 4500 BC. At the Croix St-Pierre is a further set of magaliths, the tertre tumulaine, where both quartz and schist have been used. Then comes a half-restored dolmen dated to about 5000 BC and used as a collective burial site. The well-preserved flooring has been described as "the Versailles parquet flooring of its age". A number of other interesting stones stand around the area, making it a most satisfying visit. The site also has the advantage of very few tourists!

The largest menhir in the world is by the cemetery at Locmariaquer. It is 67 feet long, but it lies broken in four pieces. The Romans called it the Northern Column. Also near here is the Table des Marchands, a neolithic corridor dolmen with its entrance concealed by a cairn. It is dated to around 3500 BC and is thought to have been a communal tomb. There are some interesting carvings of an axe and an ox-cart.