CONFOLENS  , a

town of south-western France, capital of an arrondissement in the department of Charente, 44 M . N.E. of Angouleme by rail . Pop . (1906) 2546 . Confolens is situated on the banks of the Vienne at its confluence with the Goire . It is an ancient town, with steep narrow streets bordered by old houses . It possesses two bridges of the 15th century, remains of a castle of the 12th century, and two churches, one of the 11th, another of the 14th and 15th centuries . The subprefecture,a tribunal of first instance, and a communal college are among the public institutions . Flour, leather, laces and paper are its industrial products, and there is trade in timber and cattle .