Megalithic sites at Carnac, Brittany, France by Steffen Heilfort

One unique and fascinating location in Brittany is the Megalithic sites at Carnac.  Found at the southern part of Brittany, these sites showcase prehistorically arranged standing stones that amount to more than 3,000 pieces.  These perfectly aligned megaliths are believed to be a Roman army that was magically turned to stones by Merlin.  Tours are arranged by local travel agencies for the convenience of the tourists.  Aside from seeing these megalithic sites, tourists can plan to extend their oneness with nature by camping in Carnac or by taking windsurfing or sailing lessons at the Bay of Quiberon.  At Carnac, you are sure to be amazed at how the standing stones were arranged at a time when technological machineries were not yet available.

Another area in Brittany that is a must-see and must experience is Locmariaquer.  Locmariaquer, about 7 miles away from Carnac, boasts of its beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean.  Similar to Carnac, Locmariquer also has prehistorically arranged megalithic stones that were believed to be erected during the Neolithic period.  It also has a burial monuments and statues that are thousands of years old.  The gargantuan stones that are aligned make visiting tourists believe in the existence of giants.  However, touring the other sights of Locmariaquer will refresh tourists’ religious beliefs as there are several churches around the area that were built hundreds of years ago.  Some of the churches are worth visiting are the Notre Dame de Kerdro, which was built in the 1000s by the Quimperle monks, and the Chapelle du Moustoir, which was built in the 1700s.  Don’t think that Locmariaquer will only satisfy tourists’ spiritual yearnings; this place can also satisfy tourists’ gastronomical needs.  As Locmariaquer is located near the bay, its coastal area is a source of the freshest and even the rarest oysters one can find.  Tourists can attest that this area has the best oysters as oyster cultivation in Locmariaquer dates back to the 1800s.

Cote Emeraude Fort La Latte, Brittany, France by Benh LIEU SONG

Finally, touring France will not be complete if one doesn’t take sight of at least one of the many existing castles in the country.  Brittany is one area that still has well-maintained castles that can bring visitors back in time. One of the worthwhile castles to be visited is the Fort La Latte that is located in Cotes-d’Armor in Brittany.  The view of this castle from either side is pristine waters of the Atlantic.  The structure has even been used as a location of some Hollywood films.

Now that you know of the unique sites and activities to do in Brittany, plan your trip now!

This travel article was written by Hannah of Independant budget holiday guide, www.packedup.co.uk

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Poulnabrone Dolmen is a portal tomb, which consists of a huge stone boulder weighing 5 tons, that is supported on two sides by raised stones. The entire formation is a 9 m deep burial chamber whose entrance is turned over to the east. Thus gives the impression that it was used as a sacrificial place in the Celtic period. This mysterious place is most impressive at sunset, when setting sun is lighting surrounding field with clearly purple color.

Archaeological research in 1985 showed that there were buried about 16 to 22 adults and 6 children, including personal belongings of deceased, as it was believed that the deceased needed them on their way to the next world. There were found such as bone pendants, ceramics, quartz crystals, weapons, and stone axes.

As regards natural conditions, vegetation in the Burren area is very poor and there is not enough soil. In the tomb Poulnabrone there is only about 25 cm of the soil and below it there is only a rock. The method of burial is still unclear. The bones of the bodies were separated from each other.

Poulnabrone Dolmen is situated on the R480 road, about 9 km south of the town Ballyvaghan. Admission is free. In the vicinity there are about seventy other tombs.

View Poulnabrone Dolmen – the most photographed megalithic monuments in Ireland in a larger map

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The entire region not only includes the peninsula, but covers an area of more then 188 kilometres. In the north, you will find the Loughor Estuary and to the east one can find Swansea Bay.

Gower Peninsula, Wales, UK by Mike Mantin

There are numerous caves that can be found along the edges of the peninsula. The most popular of these caves includes the Minchin Hole Cave and the Paviland Cave. The central portion of the peninsula is agricultural land. While there are some villages in the area, very few have been developed extensively.

It has been well known that the area of Wales has been inhabited by civilizations dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic Era. Over the years, a number of archaeological discoveries on Gower Peninsula have been made. Back in 1823, an archaeologist uncovered the skeleton of a male who had lived in the peninsula more than 33,000 years ago. Several burial chambers that have been successfully dated back to the Neolithic period have also been uncovered.

Out of the original nine stones Bronze Age menhirs that once existed on the peninsula, eight of them are still standing upright today. It is here that one will find the infamous Arthur’s Stone which weighs in at a massive twenty-five tons. To imagine that these massive rocks were cut and moved to the area during the Bronze Age is simply amazing.

Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower Peninsula, South Wales, UK by Walter Daw

You will not only find a castle in the peninsula that dates back to the medieval period, you will also find the Roman fort of Leucarum. The Roman built fortress can be found where the River Loughor’s mouth existed back in the first century. Today a Norman Castle exists in the location.

You will find that the area is home to a total of six castles. You will find the Bovehill Castle on the Gower Peninsula as well as the Oxwich, Oystermouth, Pennard, Weobley and Penrice Castles. While not all of them are in the best conditions, they are nonetheless a very popular part of visiting the area.

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