Discovery of the medieval city of Confolens
Explore Confolens, a charming medieval town located at the confluence of the Vienne and Goire rivers. With its picturesque alleyways, historic buildings, and local legends, this authentic town will delight lovers of history and timeless strolls!
Book your room at the Auberge la Source de Cieux hotel-restaurant to make the most of your stay in the Limousin region!
Begin your visit by crossing the Pont Vieux, dating from the 13th century and once guarded by three fortified towers. Then head to the Fontorse district, where the eponymous fountain springs forth.
This lively square, once a commercial hub, still houses superb private mansions, including the Hôtel Babaud de la Fordie.
Don't miss the Pont du Goire, which leads you to the old tanners' district, one of the busiest in the Middle Ages. Just below is the Goire Mill, the last remaining testament to the town's artisanal heritage.
Still equipped with its wheel, this oil mill operated until the 1960s and tells a story all on its own.
Then, climb a little higher to admire the Confolens Keep, built on a rocky promontory overlooking the two valleys. This building is the oldest in the town!
Beside it, the Hall of Justice and its pointed arched door, still fitted with a stile, recall the military and judicial importance of the medieval castrum.
On the way back down, stroll along Rue du Soleil, the main artery of medieval Confolens. It housed the town's most flourishing businesses, still identifiable by their large windows.
At its heart stands the Maison du Duc d'Epernon, a remarkable 15th-century half-timbered house. Legend has it that it was here in 1619 that the Duke gathered 300 gentlemen to organize the escape of Queen Marie de' Medici.
Discover another side of the region—this time gastronomic—by savoring the homemade dishes at the Auberge la Source restaurant!
Book your room at the Auberge la Source de Cieux hotel-restaurant to make the most of your stay in the Limousin region!
Confolens, a walk through history
Begin your visit by crossing the Pont Vieux, dating from the 13th century and once guarded by three fortified towers. Then head to the Fontorse district, where the eponymous fountain springs forth.
This lively square, once a commercial hub, still houses superb private mansions, including the Hôtel Babaud de la Fordie.
Don't miss the Pont du Goire, which leads you to the old tanners' district, one of the busiest in the Middle Ages. Just below is the Goire Mill, the last remaining testament to the town's artisanal heritage.
Still equipped with its wheel, this oil mill operated until the 1960s and tells a story all on its own.
Then, climb a little higher to admire the Confolens Keep, built on a rocky promontory overlooking the two valleys. This building is the oldest in the town!
Beside it, the Hall of Justice and its pointed arched door, still fitted with a stile, recall the military and judicial importance of the medieval castrum.
Old Houses and Legends in the Streets of Confolens Center
On the way back down, stroll along Rue du Soleil, the main artery of medieval Confolens. It housed the town's most flourishing businesses, still identifiable by their large windows.
At its heart stands the Maison du Duc d'Epernon, a remarkable 15th-century half-timbered house. Legend has it that it was here in 1619 that the Duke gathered 300 gentlemen to organize the escape of Queen Marie de' Medici.
Discover another side of the region—this time gastronomic—by savoring the homemade dishes at the Auberge la Source restaurant!
