Bressuire, Deux Sevres

Description:

Geography and Transport Links

Bressuire is a large town and Sous-Prefecture (area 180.59km²) in the north west of the Deux Sevres department (altitude 187m), near to the border with Vendee (Pays de la Loire).  The N149 takes traffic north west to Mauleon, and south east to Parthenay, and the D938TER runs north east to Thouars.  Bressuire has a regional TER rail link.  The nearest commercial airport is at Poitiers Biard 80km away with seasonal services to the UK, but Nantes (Atlantique) is also an option at 90km).  The Dolo river runs through the town.
See also:  Moncoutant

Climate

It is temperate year round due to the Maritime climate.  Average summer temperatures are 23C to 25C (13C to 15C low), and in winter this drops to 9C to 10C (3C to 4C low).  Wettest months are October and November and December with 94mm, and the driest is June with 39mm.  Bressuire is in a zone which receives around 1750 to 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

Tourism

Bressuire is dominated by its ruined 11^th century castle, which was surrounded by a 700m wall with 38 turns, and 8 large towers to protect it.  A 19^th century Neo-Gothic castle was built in the grounds.  Amongst other notable architecture is the Eglise Notre Dame, a 12/13^th century church with a 56m tall bell tower, and the 12^th century Eglise de St Sauveur.   There are three lakes in Bressuire offering fishing facilities, and many more within close proximity.  There is around 200km of cycle and walking paths in and around Bressuire, made up of fifteen defined routes.  Nearby there is hot air ballooning at Cerizay, and at the same village is the swimming pool ‘Aquadel', with swimming and leisure facilities.  There are many flower gardens around the area to be visited, such as the Arboretum de la Croix in Bressuire, with 15ha of grounds and around 1500 species of plant.  Other attractions include the Musee de Bressuire which exhibits 18^th and 19^th century pottery and ceramics, and other temporary art exhibitions.  At nearby Courlay is an Ostrich Farm, where you can take a tour, and buy ostrich meat and products.

Each year in June Bressuire hosts the Rallye National Nord Deux Sevres, and in July there is the Symposeum International de Sculpture, a themed 10 day exposition where 7 temporary works of art are created in view of the general public.

Facilities

Many sports activities are on offer at the Salle Multisports du Stade Alain Metayer, and the main cultural activities are centred around the Bocapole, which hosts concerts, shows and exhibitions.  There is an equestrian centre in the town, and two others in close proximity.

Economy

Bressuire is part of the Nord Deux Sevres economic zone, which has an unemployment rate of 5.9%, compared against the regional rate of 8.6% and the national rate of 9.1% (INSEE 2006).  The largest businesses here are Meubles du Poitou (a large factory making household goods and furniture), and Wagon SAS (making automotive parts and components).

Education

There are 7 state nurseries (plus 3 Private), 6 primary schools (plus 7 Private), 1 state and 1 private secondary school and 3 colleges (lycee) (plus 1 Private), and a couple of Agricultural Colleges.

Key Stats

Most of the properties in Bressuire are main residences 92.6%, and 2.4% of properties are classed as second homes.  There are fewer people aged 60 or over than the national average (20.4% vs 21.3%), and the number of retired people is just over (18.3% vs 18.2%).  25.2% of the local population are under 19 years of age which is higher than the national average.  There are fewer males than females resident here (49.5% vs 50.5%).

Key Facilities and Services: