Saintes to Périgueux roman road, Roman road between Saintes and Périgueux, France
The Saintes to Périgueux roman road was a major highway that stretched roughly 120 kilometers through three departments in southwestern France. The route crossed limestone terrain from the Cretaceous period and served as a key connection between the Atlantic coast and the Mediterranean region.
Emperor Augustus built this road to connect the Atlantic coast with the Via Domitia in the south, establishing a direct link between distant regions. A milestone inscription near Toulon shows the road remained in use under later emperors like Florian.
The road served as a major trade corridor for centuries, connecting coastal regions with distant markets inland. Medieval records show that locals called one section Chemin Boisné, referring to stone markers that guided travelers along the path.
Today visitors can explore sections of this ancient route by following local roads and consulting topographical maps. Spring and autumn are ideal times to discover the path, as the terrain is accessible and the countryside is pleasant.
A milestone near Toulon bears an inscription dedicated to Emperor Florian, proving the road remained active long after its original construction. This discovery is significant because it reveals how Roman infrastructure was maintained and used across multiple centuries.
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