The Choisille Valley, a plateau, and a gently sloping hillside give Mettray a clearly defined landscape. At the same time, named cultural heritage sites and the history of the Paternelle lead into different chapters of the town’s past. A stay in Mettray can therefore be explored through its natural setting, historical heritage, and active pursuits.

Choisille Valley, Plateau, and Hillside

The Choisille Valley is one of Mettray’s three landforms; the other two are the plateau and a gently sloping hillside. This classification describes the landscape features that shape the town. Since 2011, the valley has also been recognized as a green and blue ecological corridor of heritage interest. This adds an ecological perspective to the topographical one. Visitors who also consider landscape when choosing a destination will find the Choisille Valley a distinct focus alongside the architectural and cultural heritage sites.

Dolmen and Château du Petit Bois

The named heritage sites include the Dolmen de Mettray, also known as the Grotte aux Fées. It was classified as a historic monument on April 18, 1914. It is associated with Mettray and Saint-Antoine-du-Rocher. The Château du Petit Bois offers a different way to explore the architectural heritage: it is partially protected as a historic monument and comprises the château, the barn, the building known as the tenants’ house, the stables, and the park. Thus, a single named monument and a château with several associated features stand alongside one another as distinct examples. If you would like to visit either of these monuments, check the visitor arrangements in advance.

The History of the Paternelle

The Paternelle was an agricultural penal colony. It was founded in 1839 to rehabilitate young offenders through agricultural work. The writer Jean Genet stayed there. The former agricultural penal colony of Mettray was listed as a historic monument on September 11, 2003. Its founding, purpose, and later protected status provide different historical points of reference for the site.

The Maison paternelle de Mettray is a separate institution. It opened in 1855 and took in disobedient children from wealthy families under the “correction paternelle” system of parental correction. The two institutions belong to different chapters of the town’s history: the Paternelle was an agricultural penal colony for young offenders, while the Maison paternelle was a separate institution for children from wealthy families. Those interested in Mettray’s social history can distinguish between the two institutions and the groups they served.

Hiking, Horse Riding, and Mountain Biking

For hiking, Mettray offers the 8.8-kilometer Sentier de la Grotte aux Fées. Its stated length makes this a specific option for planning a route. The Ecuries de la Choisille offers riding lessons, training courses, and competitions for all skill levels. It focuses on different forms of riding, from lessons to competitions.

Another option is the 4Heures de Mettray: an endurance mountain bike race that can be entered solo, in pairs, or in teams of three. The three activities differ not only by sport but also by format: a hiking route with a stated length, lessons and training courses at the riding center, and a race with a choice of team size. If you are including active pursuits in your travel plans, you can decide which format best suits your interests.

Discover more destinations: Vernou-Sur-Brenne, Vallères, Mouzay, Chédigny, Epeigné-Les-Bois, Beaumont-La-Ronce, Orbigny, Larçay.

For the broader travel guide: Indre-Et-Loire.