Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Apremont, built between 1534 and 1542 on a rocky promontory overlooking the Valley of Life, is one of the first Renaissance castles in Vendée. Commanded by Philippe Chabot de Brion, admiral of France and close to François I, he replaced an 11th century medieval fortress with ramparts, a castle and an underground cooler. Its hybrid architecture combines medieval elements (heavy walls, cannon trees) and reborn (geometrical facade, ancient sculptures), illustrating a period of stylistic transition.

The castle was partially destroyed in the 18th century by order of Count Olonne, its stones reused for local constructions, such as the bridge of Pirmil in Nantes. Ranked a Historic Monument in 1975 (tours and chapel) and registered since 1926, the site now houses a town hall (until 2019), a cavalier vault unique in France, and a chapel exhibiting the history of the place, notably via the Rouleau d'Apremont, a 16th century parchment.

In 1622 Louis XIII stayed there after the Battle of Riez. Bequeathed to the commune in the 1960s by M. and Mme Thébault, the estate offers tours of the towers, of the cavalier vault ( solemn entrance to the sixteenth century), and of a park. The chapel hosts exhibitions, including a reproduction of the Rouleau d'Apremont, showing local activities related to the Renaissance Life River.

External links