Resistance memorial sites
The Stèle de La Pièce Plate marks the clearing where the first camp of Camp Hoche was established at the exact site in spring 1943. The memorial site thus recalls a specific location in the camp’s history. The stele is on private property and is accessible only for the memorial ceremony on the second Sunday in May. Check the arrangements for the ceremony in question before your trip.
The Stèle de Chapillière has a different purpose: it honours the resistance fighters of the Maquis Hoche and Danièle Casanova. A memorial ceremony takes place there every year on the second Sunday in May. Together, the two sites illustrate different aspects of remembrance: La Pièce Plate focuses on the location of the first camp, while Chapillière honours resistance fighters and Danièle Casanova.
Fortress and church
Château des Aix is a medieval fortress dating from the 13th century. A striking feature is the layout of the courtyard, which forms a terrace above water-filled moats. Guided tours take visitors through the restored interiors and grounds; they depend on the programme. If you plan to visit the château, check the specific tour dates in advance. This lets you plan your visit around the available dates rather than assuming you can visit at any time.
The Église Saint-Martin offers a different perspective on architectural history. Its three-bay nave dates from the 12th century; the projecting Romanesque transept, dating from the 15th century, was extended to the south. The parts therefore differ both in date and spatial function: the nave forms the main longitudinal space, while the transept projects from it. The church can be viewed from outside, where there is an information panel. The interior is accessible during the European Heritage Days. For planning purposes, the distinction between an exterior visit and an interior visit available only as part of a programme makes a practical difference.
Wine landscape and craftsmanship
Winegrowing is another highlight in Meillard. Domaine de Bellevue has a 22-hectare vineyard here, planted with Tressallier, an old local grape variety. The Pétillat family has been growing the vines for four generations. The 2026 visitor programme includes vineyard tours introducing the family’s traditional expertise and wines with the AOP Saint-Pourçain designation. Specific dates depend on the programme; check them before your trip.
The landscape also invites exploration: the Circuit de la Rivière à la Vigne 1 trail passes through Meillard’s unspoilt landscapes. The area’s wine landscape lies within the AOP Saint-Pourçain protected designation of origin. The trail and winegrowing thus offer different perspectives on the landscape, without necessarily being the focus of the same visit.
Pottery at Le Petit Ours is another craft to explore. Working with clay from the Netherlands there involves throwing, modelling and glazing. This offers a clear contrast when choosing what to see: memorial sites and historic buildings sit alongside winegrowing, landscapes and ceramics. Which side of Meillard interests you more can shape the focus of your stay.
Discover more destinations: Loriges, Billy, Busset, Saint-Bonnet-Tronçais, Commentry, Paray-Le-Frésil, Chamblet, Lavault-Sainte-Anne.
For the broader travel overview: Allier.
