Prehistoric Megaliths of Paimpont
Ancient Masterpieces in the Broceliande Forest of Brittany
Step back three thousand years in time to visit these prehistoric sites that were already ancient when the Arthurian legends were drafted.
These three ancient monuments of Neolithic times have been adopted by the more recent mythology of the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. They are, however, worth visting for their genuine antiquity and evocative settings.
You can park at Beuvais for the next two sites. - each site is 800m away from the car park on easy trails but in opposite directions. See map for the location of the car park.
Hotié de Vivianne (Viviane's castle)
This attractive dolmen of red schist has a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. It was reputed to be the dwelling of Viviane, Merlin's beloved who imprisoned him in nine circles of air. If you start from the car park mentioned above, then you want to start along the track going to the north-west. After about 300m the path divides, take the right-hand turning heading north for another 500m. The site is just past a large rocky outcrop, where the view opens out to a panorama. You can also reach this from the far end of the Val Sans Retour if you have a good map, though the trail rises steeply and the ground is somewhat marshy at that end which is off the normal circular path of the Val sans Retour..
This dolmen was excavated in 1982-83 where some polished axe heads and fragments of charred wood were dated to 3500-2500 BC
Le Tombeau des Geants (Giants Tomb)
This was originally a Neolithic alignment of four stones; the stones were reused in the Bronze Age to create this dolmen about 2000BC
The path to this site can be difficult to follow. Take the main path west from the car park shown on this map. After 400m you will come to a crossways marked with stone cross. Turn left onto a wide path, and after 200m turn left again onto a straight track through the trees. The site is 200m down this track, on the right.
The Garden of Monks
If you travel north from Trehorenteuc on the D141 you will come to a crossroads after about half a mile. Turn sharp left, and very soon you will see a small parking zone to the left. Here you will find this attractive rectangular site, with alternating red schist and white quartz stones.
For directions see map.
Nearby Attractions
Ask at the tourist information centre at Trehorenteuc for the map of the circular drive around the nearby attractions connected with the Grail Legend, such as the Val sans Retour and the Paimpont Forest
A little bit further away are the remarkable prehistoric stone rows of Carnac
