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Cairn de Barnénez, Plouézoc'H, Bretagne, France, is a place worth seeing for fans of prehistory.

And it is the oldest prehistoric monument in Europe and almost in the world!

The Cairn de Barnénez is located 10 km north of the town of Morlaix. It stands facing the sea, on a 45-meter coastal promontory overlooking the estuary of the Morlaix River, which opens onto the English Channel.

When the sea level was built it was, however, lower and Barnenez thus dominated a rich bottom of a valley bathed by the river.

The Cairn de Barnénez has a length of 70 m, a height of 9 m and a width of 25 m in its western part and 20 m in its eastern part. It is actually made up of two adjacent burial mounds.

Mini guide to the Cairn de Barnénez, France, of 5 things to know:

1 Barnénez, funerary monument

A Cairn is Neolithic stone burial mound. But in this case ehe Cairn de Barnénez is a specifically funerary monument  Neolithic megalithic. Thanks to that, it has been possible to date by carbon 14 tests inside the graves. It is made up of 11 burial chambers. One of which is wider and stands out for its drawings of axes and bows.

2 The largest and oldest prehistoric monument

This cairn is the largest and oldest monument, building in Europe, and almost in the world. So it is a great reason to visit and get to know it. Something unique and different without a doubt.

 3 One or two Cairns?

 They are actually two cairns together, one dated 100-200 years earlier than the other. Towards 4300 a. C. a first burial mound was erected. Later, at a date not later than 4100 BC. C, the monument was expanded by building a second mound on the west side of the first.

In the color of the stones you can see a little.

4 Access and prices to visit the Cairn de Barnénez

The entrance is worth 6 euros and European minors under 26 years free. They open from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m. 

Admission includes a guided tour, only in French. Guided tours are at 11am, 14pm and 16pm.
 You can park your car, motorhome or camper with no problem next to the entrance. Parking is inclined and overnight is prohibited, so the best thing if you have to spend the night in a motorhome or camper is to go to the free motorhome area of ​​Morlaix 10 km away.

 5 The sea of ​​treasures next to the Cairn de Barnenez

Taking a walk to the sea, up the road, you will discover the authentic coast of French Brittany. Take high boots, shovel and bucket to shellfish and discover the treasures that this coast houses. 

A beach pass awaits you and at low tide it is full of treasures. You will see many Bretons seafood. At the entrance to the beach, it indicates in a sign the quantity and size of what you can shellfish.