This little penninsular has many Neolithic stone remains high on cliffs and moorland or tucked into its wooded interior. Nearby on the coast at Menéz Drégan, an important one of these has recently been restored after excavation. Very close by, set into the cliffs, another excavation is in progress every August which is revealing the 500,000 year old fires and flint tools of Homo Erectus. At the time of writing, this is the oldest evidence in the world of man-made fire. A bit further along the coast, at St Guénolé, there is a museum stuffed with local finds. It is a research facility for Rennes University but is open to the public in the summer. Out of season it is wise to check on opening hours, as they vary.

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Ménez Drégan. On the high moor above Homo Erectus’ cave. One of a series of allées couvertes.

Ménez Drégan. so far, around six hearths have been discovered, spanning around 300,000 years. judging by the thousands of flint tools he left behind, this predecessor to Homo Sapiens did not advance at all. Possibly because conditions then, as now, were so favourable that he had no need to change.

Pors Poulhan. Just along from Ménez Drégan, an example of the more common Allées Couvertes, which have vertical stones capped with horizontals.

Lesconil. An example of the type of megalith known as an “Arc Bouteille”.

Lesconil. as yet unexcavated, thankfully, this site has quite a number of ancient stones set atmospherically in a pretty wood.