Chatellerault, Vienne

Description:

Geography and Transport

Chatellerault is a large town situated in the North East of the Vienne department.  The town is a Sous-Prefecture and the commune area covers 51.93km².  The town has an altitude of between 42m and 134m, and is situated at the joining of the Vienne, Clain, Envigne and Auzon Rivers.  The A10 motorway passes the town to the west, and takes traffic south to Poitiers (39km).  The town has both TER and TGV rail services, and the TGV can have you in Paris (Montparnasse) in around 1h25mins.  The nearest commercial airport is at Poitiers Biard, with seasonal flights to the UK.  Tours airport is also an option at 78km.
See also:  Jaunay Clan, Angles sur l'Anglin

Climate

Climate here is maritime, and therefore temperate with clearly defined seasons.  Average Summer temperatures are between 23C to 26C (11C-13C low), and in Winter this drops to 8C to 9C (2C to 3C low).  Wettest month is October with an average of 54mm, and driest is March with around 26mm.  Chatellerault is within an area that receives between 1750 and 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

Tourism

Founded in 952, Chatellerault became the centre of sword and arms manufacturing, with the armoury only closing in 1968.  The armoury building which once employed around 8,000 people, now houses the Car and Motorbike Museum.  Nearby at Naintre lies the remains of the Gallo-Roman town of Old Poitiers, the 80ha site of the Battle of Poitiers (1356).  The town has a defined walk set out through the town, that enables tourists to discover the 37 architectural ‘splendours' over a 3km circuit, and for those seeking an outdoor theme, Aven Thure at Thure is an adventure park in the trees, with rope swings and bridges and other challenges under the supervision of a professional team.  Ecologia is a Watermill Museum at Verneuil sur Vienne, offering themes such as water and renewable energy.  The town has a busy programme of events and activities throughout the year, including the annual Europeennes Journees du Patrimoine, a 2 day event in September with themed conferences and exhibitions at a variety of venues.  The 2008 theme is on Stained Glass.  The Jazzerault Festival is held in May/June each year, and includes concerts (many free) from local and international performers.

Facilities

Chatellerault has all the facilities you would expect for a town this size.  It has many education options, with professional colleges, and higher education options (schools) of the University of Poitiers.  There are no fewer that 6 stadiums (sports facilities), amongst a long list of gymnasiums and sports halls.  The Aquatic Centre here offers many sports activities and leisure activities aimed at families.  The town also has a Patinoire (Ice Rink), and there is a Golf Club nearby at St Cyr (16km).  A large market is held in the town each week on a Thursday.  The town has a large range of restaurants on offer, as well as 3 nightclubs.

Economy

The Chatellerault economic zone has an unemployment rate of 9.1%, compared against the regional rate of 8.6% and the national rate of 9.1% (INSEE 2006).  The economy is driven by mechanical and aeronautical industries, and the biggest companies here are Fabris (makers of car parts and cylinder heads), and Foch Distribution (Leclerc supermarkets).

Education

There is a choice of 13 state Nurseries (plus 2 Private), 14 Primary schools (plus 2 Private), 3 state High school (College) (plus 2 Private), and 3 state Colleges (Lycee) (plus 2 Private).  There is an arts school, music and dance school, a circus school and an Ecole de Gendarmerie based here. 

Key Stats

88.1% of properties here are classed as primary residences, with 2.2% classed as second homes.  There are more females than males resident here (52.7% vs 47.3%). There are more people aged 60 or over than the national average (27.1% vs 21.3%), and there are more retired people here also (23.2% vs 18.2%).  22.9% of the population are below the age of 19.

Key Facilities and Services: