Civaux, Vienne

Description:

Geography and Transport

Civaux is a village situated on the Vienne River at an altitude of 67m to 149m.  The commune area measures 26.39km².  The village is off the N147 (Limoges - Poitiers), reached by the D749 that runs parallel along the Vienne River between Lussac les Chateaux and Chauvigny.  The nearest rail link is 8km away at Lussac les Chateaux, with access to the TER regional network.  Poitiers Biard is the nearest commercial airport (38km) offering seasonal services to the UK, but the airport at Limoges Bellegarde (Haute Vienne) offers a bigger range of services year-round (98km).
See also:  Lussac les Chateaux, Chauvigny

Climate

Climate here is temperate with clearly defined seasons.  Average summer temperatures are between 23C to 26C (11C-13C night), and in winter this drops to 8C to 9C (2C to 3C night).  The wettest month is October with an average of 54mm, and the driest is March with just 26mm.  Civaux is within an area that receives over 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

Tourism

For a village of less than 900 people, Civaux is the surprise host of some large and important attractions.  Whilst Civaux is probably most defined by the huge twin cooling towers of the last nuclear power plant to be built in France (introduced in 1997), the immediate area next to the plant is home to some key facilities and attractions.  The Complexe multi-activites Abyssea is an aquatic centre, with a number of pools, including a scuba diving facility and fitness facilities with sauna, hammam and Jacuzzi.  The complex also houses a ten-pin bowling alley, and there is a caravan park immediately next door.  Opposite is the Planet of the Crocodiles, new for 2008 this 20m high glass dome houses 6 pools in a tropical environment, with around 200 animals across a 5,000m² space.  At the nuclear power plant, EDF energy offer an educational visitor centre.  Civaux is situated on the edge of the Forest of Lussac, an important area containing rare and endangered species of plants.  Many legends surround the necropolis and its several thousand tombs. The Merovingian sarcophagi were probably the resting place for soldiers killed in 507 A.D. during the battle between Clovis and Alaric, king of the Visigoths. foundations.

Facilities

Civaux has basic shopping facilities, but for a bigger supermarket Lussac les Chateaux is the nearest at 8km.

Economy

Civaux is part of the Montorillon economic zone which has an unemployment rate of 6.7%, compared against the regional rate of 8.6% and the national rate of 9.1% (INSEE 2006).  

Education

There is a state Nursery/Primary School in Civaux, but the nearest High school (College) is at Lussac les Chateaux.  Colleges (Lycee) are available in nearby Montmorillon (20km).

Key Stats

72.6% of properties here are classed as primary residences, with9.1% classed as second homes.  There are more males than females resident here (51.6% vs 48.4%). There are more people aged 60 or over than the national average (29.1% vs 21.3%), and there are more retired people here also (23.1% vs 18.2%).  22% of the population are below the age of 19.

Key Facilities and Services: