Apremont-sur-Allier: A floral delight in the heart of France

The main reason for our return to Apremont-sur-Allier, recognized as one of 'Les Plus Beaux Villages de France',was to visit its enchanting floral gardens,which we missed on our first visit. The Parc Floral d’Apremont is not your typical château garden. It’s a living, breathing mosaic of design and nature, where paths meander through themed spaces that feel more like chapters in a novel than sections of a park.

Created in the 1970s by Gilles de Brissac, the then owner of the chateau, the garden draws from English romanticism, French elegance, and far-flung inspirations from Turkey, Russia, and the East. It is set in the grounds of the chateau and around a lovely set of buildings which includes holiday rental accommodation.

We started our walk in the gardens by walking under the wisteria arched pergola which must be wonderful when they are in full bloom during spring.

As you wander through the garden, each structure tells its own story:

A bright red Chinese bridge, lacquered and bold, arcs over calm water with poetic grace.

A Russian-style Belvedere, whimsically decorated with ceramic murals, peeks out from a hillside like something from a fairytale.

The Turkish Pavilion, complete with intricate tilework and painted ceilings, floats dreamily beside a reflective pond.

A waterfall made with 650 tons of rocks was built in an unused quarry.

One of the most remarkable things about the Floral Park is its ability to feel both grand and intimate. 

There’s a peacefulness here that’s hard to describe. Maybe it’s the sight of the gentle flowing Allier River nearby or the way the garden seems to gently frame the village and its hilltop château. Or maybe it's just its ability to transport you...somewhere else.

Whether you’re a gardener, a photographer, or simply someone who appreciates quiet beauty, Apremont-sur-Allier’s Floral Garden offers a rich, sensory escape. It’s not just a visit, it’s a memory waiting to to have so glad we now have it.

We said we'd be back...Apremont-sur-Allier.

Nestling on the banks of the winding Allier river in the Centre-Val de Loire, Apremont-sur-Allier feels like it stepped out of a storybook. With rose-covered cottages and the gentle hum of nature all around, this village is officially one of 'Les Plus Beaux Villages de France' and it earns the title effortlessly. We had visited here way back in 2018 and vowed to come back as the Floral Gardens had just closed for the season and from what we could see, looked spectacular. 

The stone houses, meticulously restored by the Schneider and Brissac families in the 20th century, form a harmonious palette of cream, slate, and terracotta. Every corner is wrapped in seasonal blooms, making it a paradise for photographers, garden lovers, and anyone craving peace and beauty.

This is not the Loire of castles and crowds, it’s a quiet, enchanted detour where time slows down and beauty lives in the details.

Wander up to the Château d’Apremont, admire views over the river, then lose yourself in the Parc Floral, a dreamlike garden where bridges, waterfalls and exotic pavilions create a poetic, almost surreal atmosphere.

More on the Floral Gardens to Follow.

Return to Sancerre...

Pauline and I continued our road trip taking Eileen over to Sancerre where we rented 'La Petit Maison Bleu' which proved a good choice as it was only minutes from the centre of the villag.

Sisters seemed happy to have arrived.

We took a walk around the village streets before taking in the terrace views over the Loire river and the town of Saint-Satur with its viaduct.

 

We finished the day on the terraces in the centre of the village sampling some fine local wines.  

Lunch at Saint-Aignan

We stopped off at Saint-Aignan for lunch yesterday on our way over the Sancerre area. It being a Monday we were aware our choice might be limited so I asked a local lady who pulled up in a Land Rover looking rather elegant, where she would recommend, she asked if we wanted 'bonne' or 'vite' when we replied 'bonne' she directed us up the hill from just where she had parked. On arrival we discovered it was a 'Michelin' restaurant and priced accordingly. Maybe we should have said we were looking for vite et bonne.

This highly recommended establishment was unfortunately closed.

We ended here which we had spotted open as we parked the car on entering the town, it proved a good choice with simple tasty food at a good price...interestingly enough 'Land Rover' joined us here!