Châteaumeillant
| Châteaumeillant | ||
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| region | Center-Val de Loire | |
| Department | Cher | |
| Arrondissement | Saint-Amand-Montrond | |
| Canton | Châteaumeillant | |
| Community association | Berry Grand Sud | |
| Coordinates | 46 ° 34 ' N , 2 ° 12' E | |
| height | 212-388 m | |
| surface | 42.48 km 2 | |
| Residents | 1,780 (January 1, 2017) | |
| Population density | 42 inhabitants / km 2 | |
| Post Code | 18370 | |
| INSEE code | 18057 | |
Châteaumeillant is a French commune with 1780 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017) in the Cher department in the Center-Val de Loire region . It belongs to the canton of Châteaumeillant in the arrondissement of Saint-Amand-Montrond .
geography
Châteaumeillant is about 60 kilometers south-southwest of Bourges on the border with the neighboring Indre department . The Sinaise River runs through the municipality . Châteaumeillant is surrounded by the neighboring communities of Beddes in the north, Saint-Jeanvrin in the northeast, Saint-Maur in the east, Saint-Saturnin in the southeast, Lignerolles in the south, Urciers in the southwest, Néret in the west and Vicq-Exemplet in the northwest.
history
In the early days the place was an oppidum called Mediolanum. Corresponding evidence was found during construction work in the 19th century. In addition to graves, wells, coins and other objects of daily use, almost 300 amphorae from the 1st century BC were found. At the time, the amphorae were intended for the transport of Italian wine . A large collection of these and other regional finds from the early period is on display in the local Emile Chenon Archaeological Museum, housed in a historic building.
In the Middle Ages, the village was a priory of Déols Abbey and at the same time an important fortress in defense of the southern border of the Berry .
Population development
| year | 1962 | 1968 | 1975 | 1982 | 1990 | 1999 | 2007 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residents | 2594 | 2528 | 2429 | 2186 | 2081 | 2058 | 2088 | 1856 |
| Sources: Cassini and INSEE | ||||||||
Attractions
The Saint-Genès church was built around 1115 and is now an impressive, nationally known Romanesque monument. In the interior, the columns in the apse and in the side chapels are of particular interest. The decorations on the capitals refer to religious themes and people from church history, or they show vegetal motifs. The height of the nave is also impressive . However, an oak ceiling replaces the original vault and the dome over the crossing . The altar, which symbolizes the Ark of the Covenant , is a new creation from 1989.
The western church facade is typical of the Berry. However, the original gable fell victim to the tower built in 1857.
Châteaumeillant wine region
The Châteaumeillant wine-growing region received the status of a Vin Delimité de Qualité Supérieur on February 18, 1965 . The area named after the municipality of the same name with around 100 hectares of planted vineyards is located on the upper reaches of the Loire. The vineyards are spread over the municipalities of Reigny , Saint-Maur , Vesdun , Champillet , Feusines , Néret and Urciers and are located on slopes at an altitude of 250 to 300 m above sea level. NN .
There are mainly red wine and rose wine from the grape varieties Gamay , Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris made. The average production volume is 4000 hl / year.
The red wines are light and fresh. The rosé wines, which are often made from the Gamay grape as vin gris (pressing without maceration), have a pronounced acidity and are fruity. Both types of wine should be drunk young.
literature
- Le Patrimoine des Communes du Cher . Volume 1. Flohic Editions, Paris 2001, ISBN 2-84234-088-4 , pp. 313-317.
Web links
- Municipal website (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Source: Vins de Loire, publisher: Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins du Center-Loire (BIVC), Tours, Sancerre, Angers 2010