More than 700,000 euros to save this Vendée castle threatened by cracks

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In 2020, a crack was noted on the Renaissance castle in Apremont in Vendée. The Vie et Boulogne intercommunality acquired it in 2020.

At the pace ofone millimeter per month, the hole gets bigger since then, according to the findings of four sensors installed specially to assess the damage. The heavy rains could weaken the ground.

Street closed

Since spring, rue Philippe-Chabot under the moving wall of the Salle des Greniers has been closed to traffic. Even local residents cannot only go there on foot.

The opening of the tourist site was possible in 2024, with limited access. As for the street which was just redone, this generates a new layout.

Who will pay?

Vie et Boulogne voted for a budget of €728,252 of work excluding tax. If the castle is run by intercommunality, it remains on the land of the municipality of Apremont. The emergency shoring is not enough to secure the place, reconstruction work is then to be planned according to the results of current studies.

The number of visitors over the season, environ 19 000, is of course not enough to finance the operation. Especially since it is down compared to 2023 (20,000). This summer, a marquee was rented to continue the activities. A cost which is not envisaged in 2025. As for opening to the public, it should be reduced to the summer season.

It remains to take stock of the taxes requested from the population of the fifteen municipalities of the territory in order to establish a financing plan for the continuation of the rehabilitation of the castle.

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