or many people at

or many people at different times? Theories and legends abound. A public footpath runs around the perimeter fence or you can join a motorised tour of the complete site, but the only way you can walk amongst the Ménec alignments is on one of the excellent pre-booked tours. One theory we learn is that the stones were placed here as a warning to invaders from the sea, in an era when the shoreline was closer than it is now. But secretly, I hope we never find out and the megaliths keep their air of mystery. Megaliths, La Trinite sur Mer Menec alignments, Carnac ago. And to come across a single giant stone in the trees, the 6-metre Géant de Manio, near the Kerlescan alignments. But there’s more to come. From the top of a restored windmill beyond the wood, we enjoy a highlevel view over the 1029 menhirs of the Kermario alignments, before finishing our tour at Saint-Michel Chapel, perched on an ancient burial mound 12 metres high. I’m staying over in Carnac at Hôtel La Licorne a short walk from the chic boutiques and bustling restaurants of the town centre, where I soak up the atmosphere and mull over my day from a terrace table at La Sultana. Next morning, I head to the Maison des Megalithes beside the Ménec alignments for an overview of these enigmatic stones, currently part of an application for UNESCO World Heritage status that includes Brittany’s wider prehistoric monuments. Carnac still poses a wealth of unanswered questions. What were the stones actually for? Were they put here by one group of people at the same time Water all around Next day, I enjoy a tranquil walk from La Licorne through country lanes to the headland overlooking the Quiberon Peninsula. Named after the seaside town at its tip, the Presqu’Ile de Quiberon is pretty impressive as peninsulas go, so narrow at one point that you can see both sides at once. Cottages and Classics LUXURY SELF CATERING HOLIDAY COTTAGES AND B&B MINI BREAKS BESPOKE & SIGNATURE CLASSIC CAR TOURS FOR GROUPS OF 4 – 12 GUESTS MORGAN CLASSIC CAR HIRE SW FRANCE LOCATED BETWEEN COGNAC, CHARENTE AND LA ROCHELLE, CHARENTE MARITIME, SW FRANCE Lyn & Graham Peek Tel No: 0033 5 46 33 36 09 | La Rose des Vents, La Tacherie, 17160 Mons, France www.cottagesandclassics.com | Email:cottagesandclassics@orange.fr | Members of MSCC and AMOC 68 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 69