The Gavrinis Cairn

Embark on the island of Gavrinis and explore its exceptional megalithic site. The main attraction is the cairn, a unique Neolithic megalithic monument nicknamed the “Sistine Chapel of the Neolithic”. The enigmatic engravings inside the dolmen will captivate your attention. Gavrinis, located at the entrance to the Gulf of Morbihan, is one of the four islands of Lamor-Baden, accessible only during guided tours of the cairn.

 

Formed by a granite rock, the island of Gavrinis measures 750 m long and 400 m wide. The southern part houses the cairn, property of the Department of Morbihan, while the other half has been private since 2006. Only the cairn and its immediate surroundings are open to visitors.

 

To get there, simply board from the port of Lamor-Baden for a fifteen-minute crossing. Accompanied by a guide, explore the cairn from Gavrinis slipway on a 1.5-hour tour. Departures are also available from Port-Navalo, Locmariaquer and Vannes depending on the season.

 

A historic monument in the process of being registered with UNESCO, the Gavrinis cairn dates back more than 6,000 years. Measuring more than 50 meters in diameter and 6 meters high, it covers a corridor dolmen. The engraved walls present mysterious designs.

 

Formerly attached to the continent, the island was cultivated and hosted a Templar monastery. The name Gavrinis, interpreted as "the island of the goat" or "the worked island", arouses debates and interpretations.

 

Known since the Middle Ages, the site was discovered in 1832 and excavated by Prosper Mérimée and Gustave de Closmadeuc. Restorations took place between 1985 and 1995. In 2011, the cairn was digitized, becoming the first megalithic site in France to benefit from this technology.