Description:

Geography and Transport
A town covering 13.37km², situated in the North of the Charente Department, Ruffec is the Capital of the North Charente territory.  It is by-passed by the major RN10 Motorway carrying traffic between the Regional Capital Poitiers and Angouleme, and is also served by the high speed train [TGV] on the route between Lille/Brussels and Bordeaux.  It is possible to reach Paris from here in 2h20m using the TGV.  The Charente River passes Ruffec to the East, and the town sits at an altitude of 120m.

See also:  Villefagnan, Nanteuil en Vallee 

Climate

Climate here is Maritime, with typically cool Winters and warm (sometimes hot Summers).  Ruffec receives around 1900 hours of sunshine per year.  The warmest months are June, July and August (24C to 27C), but May, September and October temperatures also range between 18C and 23C.  Night time temperatures in Summer range from 13C to 15C.  Winter temperatures are typically 9C to 10C (day) and 3C to 4C (night).  Wettest months are Oct, Nov and Dec (over 94mm), whilst the driest are Mar, Jun and Aug (between 39.5mm and 52.7mm). 

Tourism

Activities around Ruffec focus on the outdoors, and the close proximity of the Charente River brings the opportunity for angling, kayaking and picturesque walks and cycling.  The pretty village of Verteuil-sur-Charente is nearby, and a little further is the leisure lake and beach at Villefagnan.

Economy

Ruffec is an historic market town and the economy is centred around agriculture, in particular corn, grain and timber production.  There are over 100 shops in Ruffec, and the town is the seventh most popular place for shopping in the Region (according to INSEE).  There are three industrial estates around Ruffec, and the Municipal Council offers businesses support and incentives to be located in the town.  Two shopping malls are in development.  

Education

Ruffec has 1 State Nursery, 1 State Primary School, 1 State High School (College) and 1 State College (Lycee).  In addition there is 1 private Nursery/Primary School, 1 private High School and 1 private College.  

Key stats

There are more females than males in Ruffec (54.3% vs 45.7%) and this is a bigger difference than for France overall (51.4% vs 48.6%).  The percentage of people below the age of 19 is lower than the national average (19.3% vs 24.6%).  There are more retired people resident here than the national average (28.8% vs 21.3%), and this is reflected in the age profile of the population, with 34.7% being aged 60 or over (against a national average of 21.3%).  85.8% of properties here are classed as main homes, with 5% of homes are classed as secondary residences.  This supports the fact that the town is popular with British buyers and Parisiens looking for a second home.

Key Facilities and Services:

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