Rochechouart France

Day 39 Friday 12 June 2026

After having a look at a few villages this morning we decided to slow the pace down and so we found a shady spot along the Vienne River for the afternoon.

This morning we consulted the maps and chose a route that we have not taken before towards Brittany.

Our first stop was in Chalus. It is known for being the place where the English King Richard the Lionheart was mortally wounded in 1199.

After buying our croissants breakfast we went for a walk around.

After a brief stop in Oradour sur Vayres.

We then continued on to Rochechouart. The town buildings are made from the stone created by a huge meteorite, that struck the earth over 200 million years.

The Church of the Savior is a beautiful Romanesque church built in the eleventh century and modified in the thirteenth century, is characterized by its octagonal bell tower of the fourteenth century, topped by a rare spiral arrow dating from the eighteenth century.

The majestic Castle is located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the confluence of the Vayres and Graine rivers. It has likewise undergone many renovations through the ages and now showcases modern art.

Feeling like we needed a bit of down time, we did some research and decided on a shady spot on the Vienne River. There was a pleasant walk over the bridge that took us around the island that had some interpretive signs along the way.

85km today