Menhir erection Néolithique (≈ 4100 av. J.-C.)
Prehistoric origin of the monument.
XIe siècle
Christianization of Menhir
Christianization of Menhir XIe siècle (≈ 1150)
Sculpture in the shape of a patted cross.
23 juin 1937
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 23 juin 1937 (≈ 1937)
Registration by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Hanhon Cross along the road from Carnac to the hamlet of Hanhon: inscription by order of 23 June 1937
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The source text does not mention any historical actors related to this monument.
Origin and history
The Hanhon cross, also called the Julien cross or the Hahon cross, is a menhir of the Christian Neolithic in the 11th century. Located in Carnac in Morbihan, this megalith is located on the western edge of the road linking the hamlets of Kermabo and Hahon, about 370 metres south of the chapel Saint Aubin. It is presented in the form of a pawted cross resting on an almost cylindrical drum, with two engraved motifs on its western face.
Originally, this monument was a typical menhir of the region, rich in megalithic remains. In the 11th century, its upper part was carved to form a cross, symbolizing the progressive Christianization of pagan sites. This type of reuse illustrates the transition between prehistoric beliefs and medieval Christianity in Brittany. The cross was classified as a historical monument in 1937, recognizing its dual archaeological and religious value.
The menhir drum retains two superimposed motifs, interpreted as a possible "frontal sign", a symbol whose exact meaning remains debated. These engravings, together with the cylindrical shape of the menhir, suggest a desire to visually mark the transformation of the monument. Today, the Hanhon cross belongs to the municipality of Carnac and bears witness to the megalithic and Christian heritage of the region.
Its inscription in the historical monuments in 1937 preserved this unique vestige, at the crossroads of two major periods: the Neolithic, marked by the erection of the megaliths, and the Middle Ages, a period of intense Christianization. The location close to the chapel Saint-Aubin reinforces its anchor in the local religious landscape, while recalling its prehistoric origin.
