# Merlin's Tomb

What to do en Brocéliande Forest · Brocéliande Forest

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/brittany/broceliande-forest/things-to-do/merlins-tomb · Revisado: 2026-11-11

- Duración: 30 min
- Para quién: All ages

Three slabs of a Neolithic gallery more than 5,000 years old in the north of the forest, which tradition calls Merlin's tomb. Free access.

What it is
The so-called tomb of Merlin is three slabs of red schist in the forest, at the site of La Marette, next to the hamlet of Les Landelles, in the commune of Paimpont, in the north of the Brocéliande forest. It is not a medieval tomb: these are the remains of a Neolithic covered gallery, more than 5,000 years old, which local tradition began to associate with the wizard at the end of the 19th century. In summer it receives many visitors, and people leave notes, small gifts, wreaths and flowers among the stones.
What remains and why it matters
The gallery was about 10.5 m long and 1.5 m wide, built of purple schist. When it was already badly deteriorated, in 1892, treasure hunters dug up the site and broke the blocks they could not move; by 1894 only three stones were left. The tourist office speaks of a blast at the end of the 19th century. Locals say the ground sounds hollow around the stones, as if there were a chamber underneath. In 2008 a European LEADER programme funded the restoration of the site, which was in poor condition.
The legend says that Vivian shut Merlin in under a flowering hawthorn, and behind the monument a hawthorn is still growing. According to other versions, the wizard is shut in a cave, in a mist, in a turning stone or in the trunk of the oldest tree in the forest, or is still walking in it with Vivian.
Nearby: the Fountain of Youth
On the same walking route is the Fontaine de Jouvence: tradition says its water restores youth to the body and heart of whoever drinks it.
Getting there
The tomb is about 12 km from Paimpont by car, some 15 minutes, to the north-east of the forest, near Saint-Malon-sur-Mel. In the forest, park only in the marked spaces. The Paimpont tourist office will tell you the most direct access and gives out forest maps.
To do it on foot, the waymarked circuit "À la mémoire de Merlin" (no. 160) starts from the car park of the Étang de La Marette campsite, in Saint-Malon-sur-Mel: 13 km, about 3 h 30, easy. It passes the pond and the quarry of La Marette, a protected natural area, the Fountain of Youth, Merlin's tomb, the so-called tomb of the English and the chapel of Saint-Jouan. On the circuit's page you can download the GPX and the PDF.
Restrictions in autumn and winter
From 15 September to 31 March access changes because of hunting. At that time Merlin's tomb and the Fountain of Youth are open except on hunt days. The calendar of hunts in the state forest is published by the ONF, the French forestry office, and may change. If you see a hunt notice, do not enter the sector and follow the signposted variant. Dogs always on a lead.
When to go
In summer the site is very busy: the tourist office recommends going first thing in the morning or at the end of the afternoon. Spring and autumn are good seasons for the forest.
How long
If you arrive by car, half an hour is enough for the stones and the hawthorn. With the Fountain of Youth, an hour. The full circuit on foot, half a day.
With children
The short visit is suitable for all ages. Children like to leave their note among the stones; do it without moving anything and without touching the hawthorn.
Rules
It is a fragile monument: do not climb on the slabs, do not carve anything and do not leave objects that do not biodegrade. Follow the authorised paths, do not light fires or pick flowers, and take your rubbish with you.
Combine the day
In the morning, the Paimpont Abbey; then the Château de Comper, in Concoret, if it is in season; and at the end of the afternoon, Merlin's tomb, when the groups have gone.

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Coordenadas: 48.0778, -2.1175

## Cerca de aquí

- [Château de Comper and the Centre de l'Imaginaire Arthurien](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/brittany/broceliande-forest/things-to-do/chateau-de-comper), a 5.1 km
- [Paimpont Brocéliande Municipal Campsite](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/brittany/broceliande-forest/where-to-stay/paimpont-municipal-campsite), a 7.1 km
- [Paimpont Abbey and Pond](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/brittany/broceliande-forest/things-to-do/paimpont-abbey-and-pond), a 7.5 km
- [Crêperie La Fée Gourmande](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/brittany/broceliande-forest/where-to-eat/creperie-la-fee-gourmande), a 7.5 km
- [Le Relais de Brocéliande](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/brittany/broceliande-forest/where-to-stay/le-relais-de-broceliande), a 7.6 km
- [Restaurant of Le Relais de Brocéliande](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/brittany/broceliande-forest/where-to-eat/restaurant-le-relais-de-broceliande), a 7.6 km
- [Barenton Spring](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/brittany/broceliande-forest/things-to-do/barenton-spring), a 10.5 km
- [Val sans Retour](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/brittany/broceliande-forest/things-to-do/val-sans-retour), a 15.2 km

## Consejos

### Go early or late
The tourist office recommends it: at midday in summer there are lots of people.

### Do circuit no. 160
Thirteen easy kilometres taking in the tomb, the Fountain of Youth and the Étang de La Marette.

### Check the hunting calendar in winter
From mid-September to March, the tomb is closed on hunt days.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Where is Merlin's tomb?
At the site of La Marette, next to Les Landelles, in the commune of Paimpont, about 12 km from the village, near Saint-Malon-sur-Mel.

### Is it really Merlin's tomb?
No. It is three stones of a Neolithic covered gallery more than 5,000 years old, which tradition linked to the wizard in the 19th century.

### Can you visit in winter?
Yes, except on hunt days, which the ONF publishes, between 15 September and 31 March.

Destino: [Brocéliande Forest](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/brittany/broceliande-forest.md)