Monument
Situated on the Kernéléhén peninsula in the Finistère-Nord region, the Barnenez cairn is one of the first traces of buildings made in durable materials in Europe. This gigantic megalith dates back to the Neolithic period, which corresponds to the appearance of smooth stone, breeding and agriculture in Europe.
At the top of a hill by the English Channel, this strange ancient building is characterised by its oblong aspect and its age, since it dates back to 4500 to 3500 BC. The long corridors, which lead to funeral rooms, can be interpreted as funeral spaces or initiation places.
The size of the monument is puzzling: 72 metres long for about 20 to 25 metres wide, depending where, and 9 metres high. In volume, all the stones put together equal 6500 to 7 000 cubic metres and weigh 12 to 14 000 tons.
It is in fact composed of two juxtaposed cairns, which were saved in extremis from destruction in 1955. The stone is decorated with idols inside of badges, V-shaped engraved signs and dotted axes. Many flints, pottery sherds and polished axes were discovered in this monument.
Â
Practical Informations
Cairn de Barnenez
29252 Plouezoc’h
Going there
From Morlaix: secondary road D 76 towards Plouezoch and the Barnenez peninsula
Localisation
On the coast between Roscoff and Perros-Guirec
15 km north of Morlaix on the Barnenez peninsula
Opening / Closing
Open
May to August, every day, 10 am to 6:30 pm
September to April, every day except Monday : 10 am to 12:30 pm and 2 to 5:30 pm
Last admission 30 mins before closing
Closed
on January 1, May 1, November 1, November 11 and December 25