Locmariaquer - Lokmaria-Kaer

Locmariaquer (Breton: Lokmaria-Kaer) is a commune in the west of the Morbihan (Breton: Mor-Bihan) department in Brittany. It has a number of beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean and the bay Quiberon (Breton: Kiberen). Locmariaquer is famous for the location of some of the most significant neolithic remains in Europe. Locmariaquer has four significant megalithic sites including the "The Broken Menhir of Er Grah" ( Le Grand Menhir Brisé) the largest known single block of stone to have been transported and erected by Neolithic people. Thought to have been erected in around 4700 BC, when it was intact the granite stone was thought to have stood at over 20.60 metres (67.6 ft) and weigh 330 tons. It was now lies in four pieces with the largest piece 40 feet in length.

Just north of the Menhir is the 'Er Grah de Locmariaquer’ tumulus is 140 metres (460 ft) long. This burial mound used to be much bigger, but as is often the case with such monuments, over the years stones were taken away from the cairn to be used for other purposes. Table des Merchands is a short distance away and is a dolmen with a 100 ton capstone over a large chamber. The stones supports are carved with natural images. There are also other megalythic sites nearby. There is a welcome centre at the site that gives details on the Locmariaquer monuments as well as information on megalithic art in Brittany. 

Image: Locmariaquer - Großer Menhir und der rekonstruierte Hügel des Table des Marchand courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Links: Brittany Tourism.