The four-metre-high Croix Hosannière, dating from the 14th century, is a striking starting point for exploring Apremont’s architectural history. Other traces from different centuries and activities at Lac d’Apremont add to the picture. You can therefore make culture, hiking and waterside activities different focal points of your stay.
Architectural history in monuments and details
The Croix Hosannière depicts an altar server with a lectern for the Gospel, a Pietà and a Maltese cross. Another architectural detail can be found at the Petit pont gallo-romain: the stone slab of the megalithic bridge measures 3.60 metres and rests on two masonry supports. At the Croix, figures and symbols shape the scene, while at the Petit pont the slab and its two supports take centre stage.
Saint Martin Church was built in 1902 and contains a 16th-century stained-glass window. The Manoir de la Tuderrière dates from the late 16th century; it was built on the site of an 11th-century feudal castle. These two buildings offer different points of reference in time, and their histories should not be confused.
The Manoir has heritage listings dating from 1984 and 2016. They concern the façades and roofs of the main residential building; the 1984 listing specifically names the courtyard-facing façade and roof. Château d’Apremont, meanwhile, was built as early as the 11th century and remodelled several times over the centuries. Several houses in Apremont were built using architectural elements from the Château, which had fallen into ruin by the 18th century.
Apremont’s designation as a Petite Cité de Caractère® is also part of the village’s cultural identity. Reused architectural elements can be seen on façades in Val Fleury. The historical details therefore range from individual figures and building elements to traces that live on in façades.
Walking trails and the banks of the Vie
Les Trois Châteaux is a 10.5-kilometre walking trail in Apremont, taking around 2 hours and 30 minutes to walk. Parking is available at Parking du Château. Trail conditions and signage may change, as may parking rules. Check these conditions before setting out on your walk.
The banks of the Vie in Apremont offer a different setting for walks, with lush greenery and walking paths. Les Trois Châteaux has a specified distance and approximate walking time, while the green riverside setting is the main feature along the Vie. You can choose where to focus your time outdoors based on the kind of walk you have in mind.
Activities at Lac d’Apremont
At the landscaped beach on Lac d’Apremont, you’ll find pedal boats and boats, a wake park, an inflatable play structure, children’s play equipment, picnic tables and a restaurant. Facilities may change; check the current availability of activities before your visit.
KS Wake Park offers supervised wakeboarding sessions, with the speed adjusted to suit participants. The minimum age is seven, and participants must be able to swim. Check in advance for booking requirements and seasonal availability. Fishing is also possible at Lac d’Apremont from a boat, a belly boat or the shore. Fishing regulations and conditions may change; check them before you fish.
Discover more destinations: Le Fenouiller, Saint-Prouant, Saint-Mesmin, Saint-Maixent-Sur-Vie, La Caillère-Saint-Hilaire, Le Boupère, Notre-Dame-De-Monts, Saint-Malô-Du-Bois.
View the broader travel guide: Vendée.
