The best walks and hikes around Lémeré

Seen from the outside, this little church doesn't look like much, and you have to go through the front door to discover this hidden gem. Its walls, entirely covered with decorations and motifs painted during several campaigns over the centuries, restore the original appearance of Romanesque churches with a state of conservation that is quite rare in France. The Notre-Dame de Rivière church was built between the 10th and 11th centuries. Legend has it that Saint Martin founded the early church on a site already devoted to prayer. Today, it has a choir, a crypt and recumbent figures dating from the 16th century, as well as remarkable exterior sculptures. But it is above all the 11th century frescoes, recently restored, which add to the historical richness of this building. Legend has it that Joan of Arc passed there, but this is not corroborated by any contemporary testimony, however Charles VII made a pilgrimage there.

Good starting point with parking and picnic.

Take the time to enjoy this riverside walk, sit in the shade of the trees or watch the wildlife in the river.

The Sainte-Chapelle de Champigny-sur-Veude was built in Champigny-sur-Veude from 1499 and mainly during the first half of the 16th century; it is one of the seven holy chapels. The neighboring castle was unfortunately destroyed by Richelieu in 1635, who felt that it was overshadowing his castle which was under construction. Today, only the old outbuildings remain. One of the last vestiges is this magnificent royal chapel, saved by the Pope because it had the status of Sainte-Chapelle and housed the Holy Relics of the Passion of Christ. Founded in homage to Saint-Louis, it consists of a four-bay nave and a triumphal arch portico. The nave has 11 huge stained glass windows, each 8 meters high, whose remarkable stained glass windows retrace the life of Saint-Louis, from his coronation in Reims to his death. They were offered by Claude de Longwy to Louis II and Jacquette de Longwy for their marriage in 1538.

The Château de Champigny-sur-Veude was built from the 16th to the 17th century by order of Louis de Bourbon, Prince of La Roche-sur-Yon. It has largely disappeared today, only the old outbuildings, the current "castle" and the Sainte-Chapelle remain. The original fortress was built in 1090 by Fulk IV of Anjou. In 1635, Cardinal de Richelieu, who had built a property nearby and who was worried about the superior influence on his castle, bought it and ordered the total destruction of the castle. Only the outbuildings and the Sainte-Chapelle escaped this destruction thanks to the intervention of Pope Urban VIII, who had officiated there a few years earlier. They constitute the remains that we can admire today.

A hiking trail takes you around the lake while a bird observatory helps you recognize the species that frequent the lake and its surroundings. The fish farming complex of Assay is made up of a large 33 ha pond, created at the beginning of the 17th century, as well as an 11 ha wetland made up of small ponds used for pike farming. Its large surface of water and the presence of a vast reedbed make it an important site for the nesting and wintering of birds. The adjoining wetland is home to remarkable flora and many protected insects such as the southern damselfish.

At the heart of an 8-hectare park, the Château de Basché, now a hotel, was built in the 16th century and extended in the 19th century. It has long been owned by a branch of the Richelieu family.

Very nice place, free access. entirely covered with frescoes and paintings. Crypt with 3 recumbent figures