Apremont-sur-Allier (France)
On a graceful bend of the Allier River in central France lies Apremont-sur-Allier, a village that feels lifted from a storybook. Golden-stone houses draped in roses and cobbled lanes that lead to the river create a setting so perfect that it belongs to Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Once a medieval quarry village supplying stone for great cathedrals, it was lovingly revived in the early 20th century by industrialist Eugène Schneider, who restored and rebuilt it in a harmonious neo-medieval style.
The heart of Apremont is its Parc Floral, five hectares of ponds, pavilions and rare trees that change colour and scent with the seasons. Though the château itself remains private, its towers and ramparts frame the gardens like a painting. The village cafés and the gentle rhythm of the river invite slow afternoons and quiet walks.
About 20 kilometres from Nevers, Apremont-sur-Allier is easy to reach by car yet blissfully far from crowds. Come in spring or summer, when flowers explode and the gardens are open, and you’ll discover one of France’s most enchanting hidden retreats—a place to wander, breathe and simply stay.
The Guardian Angels of Notre Dame de l'Assomption in Apremont-sur-Allier (France).
