Confolens travel guide

Visit Confolens (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France)
Confolens is located in the Charente department of Poitou-Charentes, to the north-east of Angouleme and north-west of La Rochefoucauld. It is an attractive town on the Vienne river, at its confluence with the Goire River, and surrounded by rolling pastoral countryside (the name Confolens comes originally from the word 'confluence').
Because it lacks major transport links Confolens is perhaps not usually high on the tourist trail, but if you are in the region there are several places of interest to visit in the town.
Exploring Confolens
The main 'highlight' of the town is the 'Old Bridge, a 13th century granite bridge with ten arches (although significantly modified and repaired in the 18th century). Since the bridge also has good views both along the river-front with its trees and ancient houses and also across the old town to the church it is a good place to start your visit.
While here make sure you see the Fontaine de la Fontorse, an ancient spring at the end of the bridge, then head into the adjacent old town.
Notable sites as you explore Confolens include the old donjon (only partially standing and all that remains of the original castle of Confolens); a 13th century stone gateway that originally allowed access to the old town through the fortifications and the 17th century town hall.
The principal religious monuments in Confolens are the church of Saint-Maxime and the Church of Saint-Bartholomew:
- The Church of Saint-Maxime has its origins in the 10th century although the church we see today is mainly from a 15th century rebuild except the arched stone entrance and rose window, which have been retained from a 13th century version. It is the octagonal spire of this church that dominates the skyline of Confolens.
- The Church of Saint-Bartholomew is in a small park area a short distance north of the town centre. The church is partly 12th century and partly 15th century and retains some very interesting historic details such as the stone carvings above the door. The square tower seems rather too large for the building but otherwise it is interesting to see!
Overall though it is the old town itself, centred around the Rue du Soleil, which will keep your attention, with a good number of beautiful 15th and 16th century colombage houses lining the streets up the hill, with the House of the Duc of Epernon and its sculptures as a particular highlight. Guided tours of the town are organised by Confolens tourist office.
After exploring the centre of the town, be sure to also follow the course of the River Goire a little way to see a small stone bridge, a traditional water mill, and some picturesque old stone houses.
Confolens festival
In the middle of August each year the town hosts the International Folklore Festival, a week long event that attracts hundreds of performers and thousands of visitors to Confolens.
Note: photo is copyright
Attractions nearby
You will probably want to combine your visit to Confolens with a trip to the small village of Saint-Germain-de-Confolens a few kilometres north of here, on the river and overlooked by an imposing castle.
You can find more travel ideas in the Charente guide and the Poitou-Charentes guide.
Map of Confolens and places nearby
Visit near Confolens with France This Way reviews

Saint-Germain-de-Confolens
In the village of Saint-Germain-de-Confolens you can see the substantial ruins of an ancient castle
Saint-Germain-de-Confolens guide
Brigueuil
Here in Brigueuil it is the roman style church that is the most interesting highlight for visitors
Brigueuil guide
Mortemart
Now listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France', Mortemart is a very pleasant village to pass an hour or two exploring
Mortemart guide
Montrol-Senard
Montrol-Senard is a traditional Limousin village which has been turned into an ecomuseum.
Montrol-Senard guide
Saint-Junien
After exploring Saint-Junien and the Collegiale Church of Saint-Junien be sure to also visit the valley of the Glane river
Saint-Junien guide
Rochechouart
On the edge of the Perigord-Limousin Regional Natural Park, Rochechouart has a castle and Museum of Modern Art to visit
Rochechouart guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Charente
Tourist classifications for Confolens
Confolens is classified as a listed town of Art and History
Address: Confolens, Poitou-Charentes, 16500, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 46.014, longitude 0.67333
Plan your visit to Confolens, Charente
Hotels near Confolens
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Abbatiale de Saint Pierre (Lesterps): religious monument (8 km)
- Eglise de Saint Pierre (Chatain): religious monument (20 km)
- Site Corot: site of natural beauty (21 km)
- Abbaye de la Réau (Saint-Martin-l'Ars): religious monument (22 km)
- Abbaye de Saint-Amand (Saint-Junien): religious monument (23 km)
- Abbaye Bénédictine (Charroux): religious monument (25 km)
- Abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux: national monument (25 km)
- Eglise de Genouillé (Genouille): religious monument (28 km)
- Parc et jardin de l’Abrègement: remarkable garden (31 km)
- Bellac: village d'etape (31 km)
- Eglise d'Usson de Poitou (Usson-du-Poitou): religious monument (31 km)
- Eglise de Saint Nicolas (Civray): religious monument (33 km)
The French version of this page is at Confolens (Francais)