The megalithic sites of Carnac and the shores of Morbihan in Brittany, western France, have been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, the international organisation announced on Saturday.
These ancient monuments, erected over more than two thousand years during the Neolithic period, cover an area of 1,000 square kilometres. The site includes more than 550 monuments across 28 towns and villages in Morbihan.
Among the most famous are the Carnac alignments, with their long, straight rows of menhirs (meaning ‘long stones’ in Breton) of all sizes. The origins and purpose of these stones remain a mystery, but they attract nearly 300,000 visitors each year.
Unesco described the megaliths as “an exceptional testimony to the technical sophistication and skill of Neolithic communities.” The organisation highlighted the ability of these ancient people to extract, transport and position huge stones and earth to create a complex symbolic landscape. This, Unesco said, reveals a unique relationship between the population and their environment.
This is the first site in Brittany to be fully inscribed on the World Heritage list. The Vauban Tower in Finistère is already listed, but as part of a group of 12 Vauban fortifications across France.
France now has 54 sites on the World Heritage list. Spain and China each have 60, and Germany has 55.
This year, the World Heritage Committee, meeting in Paris until Sunday, is considering 30 nominations. These include King Ludwig II’s castles in Bavaria, genocide memorial sites in Cambodia, and cultural landscapes in Cameroon and Malawi.
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The inscription not only acknowledges the cultural and historical significance of these ancient monuments, but also seeks to ensure their preservation and protection for future generations.
A management plan for the site, developed in partnership with local authorities and stakeholders, will guide conservation efforts in the coming years.
(With newswires)
