Confolens / Champagne-Mouton La Vélidéale

The little town of Confolens makes an irresistible stopover along the Vélidéale cycle route. It boasts remarkable heritage features that it puts lovingly to the fore, hence its designation as a Petite Cité de Caractère. A trail incites you to learn about the varied curiosities dotted around the medieval settlement. For the last 60 or so years, the weekend around 15 August sees the arrival of dancers and musicians from around the world for its Festival d'Art et de Traditions Populaires. Leaving Confolens, you once more follow the Vienne River, up to Saint-Germain de Confolens, a village whose sublime castle perched on its rocky promontory dominates a wide area. Then our cycle route heads off straight westwards to cross the Charente River at Alloue, where the Maison Maria Casarès stands out, a fortified medieval house lived in by a famous French actress from 1961 to 1996, and now an artists’ residence. Ride on to Champagne-Mouton, a little place, but where you’ll find stores to stock up on provisions.