Confolens, medieval city (km 0)

Standing at the confluence of the Vienne and the Goire, Confolens has always been a strategic place. But the town really developed during the Middle Ages. The town has preserved several features from this period including fine half-timbered houses, a rue du Soleil which never sees the sun, a helter-skelter street, a keep, a pont Vieux, squat, slightly humpbacked, across the Vienne

Also to be seen :

• the house of the Duke d'Epernon where the escape of Marie de Médicis, then a prisoner in Blois castle, was prepared.
• the Fontorse quarter (which is reached by the Pont Vieux) and its splendid 18th century fountain.

To be tasted :

• the Kroumirs, a local speciality made with grilled almonds and chocolate.

Saint-Germain-de-Confolens (km 8)

Saint-Germain stands at the confluence of the Vienne and the Issoire. The medieval castle of the Count de la Marche, of which three imposing towers can still be seen, "holds" the hill overlooking the village. The river Vienne flows past the foot of the village, wide, blue and banked with lush green grass.

Also to be seen :

• beside the castle, the small Romanesque church of Saint-Vincent, built in accordance with a rare plan in the shape of a Greek cross.
• outside the village, at the Croix de Bellevue, the sumptuous panoramic view of the Blond foothills and the Issoire reservoir.

Look for gold :

• the golden sands carried by the Vienne and the Issoire. In summer, look for gold but telephone beforehand on +33 5 45 84 14 08

To meet :

• Roger Conceicao, a wrought iron craftsman. Info : +33 5 45 85 42 03

Esse (km 14)

Esse is a small village surrounded by hedged fields and valleys, built of granite and covered with pink tiles. The commune is very attached to its legends and customs and, every seven years, it recreates the monstrances (processions during which the relics of saints are paraded).

Sit down :

• below the Sully lime tree, over several hundred years old and said to have been planted in front of the Romanesque church by the minister of Henri IV.

Lesterps (km 20)

The village contains an edifice which is unique in the region : a Romanesque (11th century) porch bell tower almost 43 metres high.

Stroll :

• through the village streets to see the houses built using the walls of the old abbey.

Brigueuil (km 30)

The village

This is a fortified village (11th century) perched on a hillock. Fragments of the ramparts, the eastern gate and a graveyard lantern in the cemetery remain from the medieval period.

Also to be seen :

• the Logis (a 16th century manor house) with an elegant pepper pot tower.

Etagnac (km 40)

The castle at Rochebrune

Its history is intertwined with that of the lords of Chabanais who took up residence there. While the oldest parts date from the 11th century, the building was extensively reworked in the 17th century by Blaise de Montluc. Protected by the moat, Rochebrune is a stout construction flanked by four pepper pot towers. At one time it belonged to general Dupont, a comrade in arms of Napoleon, and part of the interior decoration dates from the First Empire.
Info : +33 45 89 08 29

Fishing, bathing :

• in the étang de la Féculerie, on the edge of Etagnac.
  

Chassenon (km 45)

The Gallo-Roman baths

Lying on the Aggripan Way linking Saintes to Limoges, Chassenon was an important complex of holy water cures in the 2nd century. Hot baths, warm baths, cold baths for Gauls and Romans, pilgrims taking the cures, doctor priests. The baths are in a remarkable state of preservation and are one of the largest known sanctuary baths in France.
Info : +33 5 45 89 08 29

Chabanais (km 51)

The Chêne Vert arboretum

Set in almost 3 hectares, with more than 2500 trees and some 200 species of perennials for the most part : educational workshops, plant exchange (grafts, seeds, rooted cuttings)
Info : +33 5 45 89 04 97

Exideuil (km 56)

The Vienne flows past the village of Exideuil. Just a stone's throw away, see the château de la Chétardie where Madame de Sévigné stayed on several occasions.

Also to be seen :

• the small church of Saint-André (12th century) with its baptismal pool (13th century).
• the statue of Saint-Eloi (12th century).
  

Go rafting :

• the Vienne flows in lively fashion over the round boulders ideal water for radelage (derived from rafting) and canoeing.
  Info : +33 5 45 84 43 70
  

Return to Confolens via the valley of the Vienne (km 68)