FamxplorCairn de Gavrinis
What to expect
The Cairn de Gavrinis is a Neolithic passage tomb located on the island of Gavrinis in the Gulf of Morbihan, Brittany, France. It is one of the world's oldest surviving buildings, dating back to around 4200-4000 BC. The tomb is famous for its rich internal decorations, making it one of the major treasuries of European megalithic art. The site is a megalithic monument, a funerary and cultic architecture, unique in the world for the profusion and finesse of its engraved decorations. The cairn is a passage grave, built around 3500 BC, with magnificent carvings present on virtually all of the slabs of both the passage and the chamber. The symbols are characteristic of art from the Neolithic period, including axes, crosses, and deities
Plan your family visit to the Cairn de Gavrinis with these blog insights 👇
Visit the Carnac menhir alignments and other megalithic sites in Brittany
Activities: We took a boat to the Cairn de Gavrinis, located on a small island in the Gulf of Morbihan. The cairn is a massive, circular structure covered in stones and boasts intricate carvings on its interior stones. These carvings depict symbols like the cross, serpent, and axe. We also learned about the site's use as a burial chamber and the fascinating re-use of the engraved stones
Highlights: The children were particularly fascinated by the detailed carvings on the stones, and the different symbols they represented. We also enjoyed the scenic boat ride to the island and the panoramic views of the Gulf of Morbihan ✨