Availles Limouzine, Vienne

Description:

Geography and Transport Links

Situated in the extreme south east of the Vienne, Availles Limouzine is a small town (commune area 57.9km²) situated close to the borders of both the Charente and Haute Vienne (Limousin) departments (altitude of 120m to 224m).  There are no major roads in the immediate area, and the town can be reached via the D741 and D34.  The D148 gives access to the N10 (West).  The nearest rail link is at St Saviol (37km), and this one stop from Ruffec, where TGV access is available.  The nearest commercial airports are at Poitiers Biard and Limoges Bellegarde (both 66km), although Limoges offers more services and year round.
See also:  L'Isle Jourdain, Confolens

Climate

Climate here is maritime, and therefore temperate with clearly defined seasons.  Average Summer temperatures are between 21C to 24C (12C-15C night), and in Winter this drops to 7C to 8C (2C-3C night).  Wettest month is normally October with 72mm, and the driest are July and Aug with 52mm. Availles Limouzine is within an area that receives between 1750 and 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

Tourism

Availles Limouzine is situated within picturesque countryside, with opportunities for fishing, cycling, horseriding and walking.  The town has an outdoor recreation centre that offers a paddling pool, boat and canoe hire, motor boats, mini-golf, motorbike hire and go-karting.  The centre also offers international fishing facilities and there is a 2 star camping site located there.  Nearby is Deer Valley at Luchapt, a family attraction with around 250 animals set in 54ha.  Also close-by at Les Beaupinieres is Centre Ouest Evasion, offering 4x4 driving over a variety of different terrain (40km of tracks) set in a 600ha private facility.  At the heart of the town is the St Martin Church, a 11^th, 15^th and 18^th century structure.  Also of interest are the three underground fountains, of which one is open to visitors. 

Facilities

Whilst Availles-Limouzine has two general stores, there is a larger supermarket at Confolens (14km).  The town also has an outdoor swimming pool open in season, but for indoor swimming the nearest is at Civray (30km).  There is an equestrian centre nearby at Ferme Equestre de Villate.  The town has two restaurants and a nightclub ‘Le Bimbo'.  Availles-Limouzine hosts a large market (Foire) on 17^th of each month throughout the year.

Economy

Availles Limouzine is part of the Haute Charente economic zone, which has an unemployment rate of 7%, compared against the regional rate of 8.6% and the national rate of 9.1% (INSEE 2006). 

Education

There is a nursery/primary school in Availles-Limouzine, but for Secondary School (College) and College (Lycee) the nearest options are at Confolens (14km).

Key Stats

68.8% of properties here are classed as primary residences, with 19.3% classed as second homes.  There are more males than females resident here (51.8% vs 48.2%).  There are more people aged 60 or over than the national average (35.5% vs 21.3%), and also more retired people here than against the national average (29.4% vs 18.2%).  18.7% of the population are below the age of 19.

Key Facilities and Services: