Followed the Vienne closely on its south east course most of the day.
Around Lessac I joined a cycle route aptly named "Bonne Route".
This hugged the river most of the way to Saint-Germain-de-Confolens.
Some gravel around Exideuil.
A late lunch at the picnic area at the Parc Archéologique at Cassinomagus -- the Roman name for the settlement at Chassenou.
They've done an excellent job of presenting the remains of the baths and the aqueduct.
It's astonishing how big the baths were and how well-preserved the decorative brick work is today.
I imagine being a Roman traveller stopping here for rest and refreshment, and of course the hot and cold baths, massage etc. Just what the long distance cyclist of antiquity needs.
All that's left of the 2.5km acqueduct are the footings, but the way it's been displayed shows the scale and grandeur clearly.
Now, at Rochechouart, I'm in the Périgord-Limousin regional park, which I will cross north-south to Brantôme tomorrow.
I think there will be fewer but bigger hills tomorrow, which may be easier than today's high frequency up and down.
Comments
I did almost exactly the same route the other week! (Staying on EV3 at Exideuil rather than peeling off to Rochechouart.) I think the ‘Bonne Route’ sign was at the boundary between départements – the previous department wishing cyclists a good route as they continue on their way.