Grand Cairn de Barnenez

The oldest known megalithic structure in Europe

Historic site and monument
Megalith
Museum
Archaeology

Barnenez, 29252 Plouezoc'h

Cairn de Barnenez — ©© Centre des Monuments Nationaux

Grand Cairn de Barnenez — ©© Centre des Monuments Nationaux

- - 02 98 67 24 73
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The Cairn de Barnenez (Barnenez Cairn) is the largest megalithic burial site in Europe. The site is accessible to the disabled.

In Plouezoc’h, on the right bank of the mouth of the River Morlaix, you’ll find the oldest part of the Barnenez Cairn, made from dry stone and dating back to 4850-4450 BC! It’s the oldest known megalithic site in Europe, and according to André Malraux it would have been better named ‘The Prehistoric Parthenon’, due to its sheer scale and age. In the information centre, a large scale model explains just how the monument is set out. The cairn is made up of eleven dolmens and as many burial chambers. Ten of these are completely covered and are only accessible via a dry stone passage roofed with horizontal slabs. Although not great in number, a diverse range of artefacts has been recovered from archaeological digs here (polished axe heads, spearheads and flint tools).