The Merchants' Table

Discovering the interior of the cairn at the Table des Marchands is an intense experience. There are still many questions and interpretations. This monument has not yet revealed all its secrets!

The first dolmen ?

The origin of the term "dolmen

Restored throughout the 20th century, the Table des Marchands is an ancient burial chamber covered by a cairn, a pile of stones without mortar.

It is thought to be the first monument to have been defined as a dolmen - the stone table in Breton - to evoke this architecture of large table-shaped blocks.

The first name dates back to 1796, written by the first grenadier of France and Celtic Théophile Malo Corret dit de La Tour d'Auvergne, whose ashes rest in the Panthéon.

Fouille faite sous un ancien monument à Lock-Maria-Ker — Illustration tirée du "Essai sur des monuments armoricains qui se voient sur la côte méridionale du département du Morbihan, proche Quiberon", par M. de Maudet de Penhouët , Nantes, Busseuil jeune, 1805
Reproduction Philippe Berthé / CMN

Intriguing engravings

Some impressive engravings can be seen on two stones inside the monument. Their interpretation is intriguing.

Humans left evidence of this long before writing. Could these be motifs relating to the daily life, politics or spirituality of these prehistoric peoples?

The techniques used demonstrate precise organisation and know-how. If you look up, you'll see that there are also engravings on the ceiling, one of which appears to have lost its half... Don't worry! The second part of the story isn't far away, as we find it at the Cairn de Gavrinis...

Why "Merchants"?

The big question asked by visitors is: Why 'Marchands'? In literature, the name of the monument can be read as either "Marchand" or "Marchands". The origin of the name is a mystery, as archaeologists have been unable to find any link with a possible family name or a possible distortion of a Breton name. The hypotheses remain open...