Major city · France
Carnac
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Carnac: see the menhir alignments and relax on a beach, then head back.
Carnac is a small Breton town famed for its dense megalithic sites and nearby beaches. One day covers the main stone rows and a quick swim; longer stays suit beach‑goers or hikers.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (warm, sunny, open beaches)
- avoid Oct–May (cool, some sites have limited hours)
- Airport
- LRT
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Carnac17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Carnac, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch for strong currents in the Gulf of Morbihan and keep belongings secure on busy beaches.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 15 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLRT Lorient Bretagne Sud Airport (about 30 km (19 mi) north, shuttle or taxi to Carnac).LRT Lorient Bretagne Sud Airport (about 19 mi (30 km) north, shuttle or taxi to Carnac).
- Getting aroundWalk between stone sites (all within 2 km (1.2 mi) of town centre).Walk between stone sites (all within 1.2 mi (2 km) of town centre).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1–2 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus ridePublic bus ticket€1.50 (≈ US$2)
- Museum or sight ticketEntry to Saint‑Michel tumulusFree
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room€150 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €85 (≈ US$100) · High €130 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LRT Lorient Bretagne Sud Airport (about 30 km (19 mi) north, shuttle or taxi to Carnac)LRT Lorient Bretagne Sud Airport (about 19 mi (30 km) north, shuttle or taxi to Carnac)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Oct–May. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Nov (13 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Carnac: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk between stone sites (all within 2 km of town centre). Bicycles and local buses serve the beaches; taxis available from Lorient airport.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Auray
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
TER Bretagne train, 12 min from Carnac station
Historic town with market and medieval centre.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Les Chaumières de Kerimel
Eco‑farmhouse guest rooms, €110–120 per night for 2, breakfast included
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- €85–130 (≈ US$100–160) excl. bed
- High
- €130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room (double)1 × 1 night × €120 | €120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €85 | €170 |
| TER Brittany train Auray ↔ Carnac (return)2 × €9 · check | €18 |
| Bike rental for a day2 × €12 · check | €24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €33 |
| Trip total≈ €183 per person per day, bed included | €365≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and long‑distance train not included.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Crêpe (sweet or savory) | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Bottled water | €1 (≈ US$2) |
| Public bus ticket | €1.50 (≈ US$2) |
| Entry to Saint‑Michel tumulus | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer beaches can be crowded; arrive early for parking.
- Check tide times for safe swimming in the Golfe du Morbihan.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 15
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CarnacCarnac
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance15
Embassy
US consulate in Rennes; French police can assist tourists.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Auray ↔ Carnac TER: ≈ €9 each way, ticket bought on board or at station
- Bike hire (day): ≈ €12
Say or show
- Bonjour / Excusez‑moi — Hello / Excuse me (bon‑zhoor / eks‑kyoo‑zay mwa)
- C’est combien ? — How much does it cost? (say kohm‑byan)
- Où est la plage ? — Where is the beach? (oo eh lah plazh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Carnac. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (warm, sunny, open beaches) · avoid Oct–May (cool, some sites have limited hours) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Visit all five major alignments (Ménec, Kermario, Kerloquet, Kerlescan, Petit‑Ménec) in a single day.
- Combine stone visits with a beach break at Plage de Ménec.
Sources
Ask about Carnac
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