Pons - Saint-Vivien

A settlement existed on the banks of the river Seugne already in pre-Roman times. The Romans had a "castrum" here and may have built a bridge = pons crossing the river.

Geoffroy III de Pons, Richard Lionheart´s vasall, fortified the town, placed on a limestone plateau over the valley.

Down in the valley the construction of Saint-Vivien started in the 12th century. The structure got remodeled and enlarged over the centuries. The aisle and the immense apse, seen from here, were added in the 18th century.

The "Via Turonensis" leads through Pons, so in the center of the roundabout (left) is a group of pilgrims, discussing directions. Only 200 meters away is the "hôpital des pèlerins", where they will find a place to stay.