Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

Métayer Menhirs are two megalithic monuments located in Saint-Paul, in the Haute-Vienne department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. These erected stones date from Neolithic, a period marked by the emergence of agriculture and the construction of monumental stone structures. The site consists of two menhirs about 100 metres apart: the first, still standing, rises to more than 4 metres high, while the second, broken in two pieces, rests on the ground.

The precise location of the menhirs is near the hamlet of Métayer, on the commune of Saint-Paul. These monuments were listed as historic monuments on November 9, 1984, recognizing their heritage value. Their presence bears witness to the cultural and religious practices of neolithic societies, which erected these stones for reasons that were still partly mysterious, often linked to funeral or astronomical rites.

Menhirs du Métayer are referenced in the Mérimée base, an inventory of French architectural heritage, and their approximate address is indicated as 5212 Le Métayer, 87260 Saint-Paul. Their conservation status varies, one of the menhirs being intact while the other is fragmented. These remains provide a tangible overview of the region's ancient history, where prehistoric communities have left lasting traces in the landscape.

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