Menhir de Kerloas — Attraction in Brest

Menhir de Kerloas, Plouarzel (Finistère, Brittany)

At about 9.5 m (31 ft) high, the Menhir de Kerloas is the tallest standing menhir in Europe—and possibly the world (excluding obelisks). Its tip was lost centuries ago after a lightning strike, reducing its original height by around 2 m.

Carved from granite and weighing over 100 tons, it was likely transported from a quarry 2 km away, a remarkable feat. The stone shows two curious bumps near its base, nicknamed “the hunchback,” which may have been used to secure ropes.

Folklore adds charm: in the 19th century, newlyweds rubbed against the bumps—seeking fertility, male heirs, or even household dominance. Legends also tie the stone to the giant Gargantua. Excavations revealed Bronze Age remains, suggesting long ritual use.

Recommendation For fans of megaliths, this is not to be missed—a true prehistoric skyscraper. For others, it’s still an impressive and atmospheric stop. Parking is ample, and a short walk through fields leads you straight to this...

For over five millennia, the Menhir of Kerloas in Plouarzel, France, has dominated the landscape as the tallest menhir on Earth. Towering at an impressive height of 9.5 meters (31 ft) above the ground, with an additional 2 meters (6.5 ft) hidden beneath the earth, this colossal granite monolith, weighing a staggering 100 tons, was masterfully shaped and polished by an enigmatic prehistoric civilization whose name has been lost to time. Adorning its base are two distinctive raised bosses, thought to have played a role in ancient fertility and marriage rituals—tiny clues whispering of the passions and beliefs of a bygone era. Yet, the most perplexing question lingers: how did the ingenious Neolithic builders manage to transport and erect such a monumental stone without the aid of advanced technology? A silent enigma from the depths of history, the true significance of this magnificent structure continues to elude our understanding, inviting speculation and wonder from all who...

The tallest still standing mehnir in France is located just off a farmer's field in the small town of Plouarzel. Not set up as a tourist attraction, but definitely worth the visit, the mehnir is impressive by its height and size. It's made out of the granite from Porspoder, with really large pink feldspars. Legend has it that if a couple rubs their bellies against the mehnir, a baby will surely enter...