Oppidum de Châteaumeillant
The oppidum of Châteaumeillant is an ancient Celtic fortification built around 250 BC on a plateau between two rivers. The site spans roughly 25 hectares and is bounded by Gallo-Roman stone walls, parts of which remain visible today and show the original defensive structure of the settlement.
The settlement was founded around 250 BC by Celtic Bituriges Cubès and initially served as a flourishing trading center. A major fire in the 2nd century BC destroyed the city, after which it was rebuilt and retained its importance as a junction between the roads from Poitiers to Lyon.
The name Mediolanum means "middle of the plain" and reflects its strategic position between two parallel rivers. The settlement was an important trading hub where Italian wines were sold through large storage jars, leaving traces of intense economic exchange between regions.
The site is easy to explore on foot or by bicycle, with marked paths between 5 and 10 kilometers long around the old settlement. The area offers varied landscapes with fields and small forests, making it simple to discover the location at your own pace.
A large amphora with silver-inlaid eyes was recovered from an old well alongside a bronze lion sculpture. These rare finds from 2012 reveal the artistic skill and valuable objects that once existed in this wealthy settlement.
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