Discover Les Métairies

The Tenaie is a tributary of the Charente and rises within the municipality of Les Métairies. The Plaine de Guitres is also part of the natural setting: this ZNIEFF type 1 covers 3.4 percent of the municipality. The watercourse and the named landscape area thus offer two concrete perspectives. The cultural walking trail and the festival also feature the name Tenaie. This makes the destination a blend of landscape, cultural history and specific events, without requiring any one focus to define your stay.

Cultural history at the Motte

The cultural connection is most evident at the Motte à Peljeau, also known as Poljeau. It is about seven metres high and around ten metres wide at the base; it is classified either as a tumulus or as a feudal motte. The approximate measurements give an idea of its size, while the classification leaves two possibilities open. The motte rises at the edge of a fairly well-preserved camp, believed to be Roman. Later, it served as the foundation for the Peljeau mill.

An archaeological investigation in La Tenaie uncovered remains dating from the early Middle Ages onward. This adds another period and a different way of exploring local history to the cultural connection, beyond the interpretations surrounding the motte. Those interested in historical traces can distinguish between the archaeological remains in La Tenaie and the construction and later use of the motte as a mill.

Cultural walking trail and getting there

The Au fil de la Tenaie cultural walking trail uses the Motte à Peljeau as a meeting point at 9:15 a.m.; this information applies to the 2026 season. Parking is available there in the morning. If you plan to include the trail in your trip, check the latest seasonal dates in advance.

The COG24 timetable, published in February 2026, lists Les Métairies–Brassac at the VC crossroads as a bus stop. Check current service details before travelling. The timetable and the cultural walk address different planning needs: for the bus journey, the travel date matters; for the walk, check the relevant seasonal date.

Accommodation and event dates

Les Ecureuils is a guesthouse in Les Métairies, located in the owners’ home and able to accommodate up to five people. If this particular accommodation suits your trip, check availability before booking.

The Frairie – Festival de la Tenaie is also part of the town’s history: it was scheduled for 13 to 15 June 2025 at the Salle des fêtes-Bourg and took place for the fourth time in 2025. These dates refer to the past edition. The cultural walking trail, by contrast, is listed for the 2026 season. If you would like to make cultural events the focus of your trip, keep the dates in perspective and check current event or seasonal dates before booking.

Discover more destinations: Chassenon, Moulidars, Massignac, Guimps, Baignes-Sainte-Radegonde, Pérignac, Montrollet, Salles-d'Angles

For the broader travel overview: Charente.