The short version
- TGVs from Paris Montparnasse reach Auray, the station for Carnac, in 2 hours 39 minutes at the fastest, with six direct trains a day. Vannes is 2 hours 25 minutes away.
- The Carnac standing stones and the other megalithic sites around the Gulf, more than 550 in all, became a UNESCO World Heritage site on July 12, 2025.
- The footpaths around the Carnac alignments are free. For a closer look at one of the main sites, take the one-hour guided visit for €13, booked online or at the Maison des Mégalithes.
- From Auray station, coach 619 runs to Carnac and line 601 to Quiberon, €2.50 a ride.
- Boats to the Île aux Moines leave Port-Blanc about every 30 minutes all year, and the crossing takes 5 minutes.
- Vannes has its ramparts, 170 half-timbered houses and a big market on Place des Lices on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
What to see
Start at the Maison des Mégalithes at Le Ménec, outside Carnac. From there a free path runs beside the stone rows: 1.5 kilometers to Kermario, about an hour, or 3.5 kilometers to Kerlescan, about two. The guided visit, about an hour, covers one of the main sites.
From October to March some of the stone fields are open to walk in freely, and the Maison des Mégalithes keeps shorter hours, 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00.
Spend a day in Vannes. Walk the ramparts and the gardens below them, go in through the Porte Saint-Vincent, and find the half-timbered houses around the cathedral and on Place Henri IV. La Cohue, the art museum, closes for a period from early November 2026.
Take a boat into the Gulf. The Île aux Moines is 6 kilometers long, with an 18-kilometer coastal path and a beach near the landing. The Île d’Arz is 20 to 30 minutes from Vannes on the Bateaux-Bus du Golfe, every day of the year, no booking needed.
Quiberon, at the end of its peninsula, is where the ferries leave for Belle-Île.
Getting there and around
TGVs run from Paris Montparnasse to Vannes and Auray; some trains change at Rennes. By road, Vannes is about 450 kilometers and five hours from Paris.
Coaches cost €2.50; buy from the driver with exact change or in the BreizhGo app. In Vannes, a city bus ride is €1.50 with a contactless bank card.
Vannes, the islands and Carnac work without a car. A car makes it easier to string the stones, Auray and Quiberon into one day.
In summer, the Tire-Bouchon train runs between Auray and Quiberon for €5. From May to September, bikes on regional trains need a €1 reservation.
When to go
Expect mild weather and rain mostly in autumn and winter. Spring and early autumn are quieter at the stones than July and August.
In summer, the Tire-Bouchon train runs to Quiberon, the island minibus tour on the Île aux Moines runs from Easter to All Saints, and the island market is on every morning in July and August.
Winter is quiet, and from October to March some of the stone fields are open to walk in freely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Carnac from Paris?
Take the TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Auray, 2 hours 39 minutes at the fastest, then coach 619 to Carnac for €2.50.
Can you walk among the Carnac stones?
The paths around the stone fields are free all year. For a closer look at one of the main sites, the one-hour guided visit is €13. From October to March, some sites are open for free visits.
Are the Carnac stones a UNESCO site?
Yes. The megaliths of Carnac and the shores of the Morbihan were added to the World Heritage list on July 12, 2025, covering more than 550 sites in 28 towns.
How do you visit the Gulf of Morbihan islands?
For the Île aux Moines, take the 5-minute boat from Port-Blanc, which runs about every 30 minutes all year. For the Île d’Arz, take the Bateaux-Bus du Golfe from Vannes, 20 to 30 minutes, no booking needed.
Is there a tour I can add in Brittany?
Yes, on the north coast. Our Mont-Saint-Michel and Brittany overnight meets at Saint-Malo station, with a night in Saint-Malo and then a guided day at Mont-Saint-Michel and the medieval town of Dinan, eight guests at most, March to October.
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