La Trimouille, Vienne

Description:

Geography and Transport

La Trimouille is a village located in the extreme east of the Vienne department, part of the Communaute de communes Montmorillonaise.  The village is close to the borders with Indre (Centre) and Haute Vienne (Limousin).  There are no major routes in the immediate proximity, and the key roads are the D675 that runs north to Le Blanc (20km) and south to Bellac (43km), and the D727 heading west towards Montmorillon (15km).  The nearest rail link is at Montmorillon, where there is access to the regional TER services.  The nearest commercial airport is Poitiers Biard (73km), with year-round services to the UK (limited in winter).
See also:  Montmorillon, Antigny

Climate

Climate here is maritime, and therefore 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 night).  As with much of Poitou Charentes, the Autumn can be warm, with average temperatures in Sept of 22C and Oct 17C.  However, October and November are usually the wettest months.  La Trimouille is within an area that receives between 1750 and 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

Tourism

La Trimouille is best known for L'Isle aux Serpents (Snakes Island), a visitor attraction exhibiting more than 60 species of reptiles and mammals, with more than 250 animals overall including lizards, tortoises, alligators, snakes and more.  The attraction, which welcomed 37,200 visitors in 2007, is open all year.  The other main attraction in the area nearby is the Villesalam Abbey, classed as part of the neighbouring commune of Jouhet.  The Abbey is a 12^th and 17^th century structure which hosts music concerts during summer.  La Trimouille is situated on the River Benaize, and is popular for fishing, walking and cycling.  As in many towns and villages, La Trimouille hosts a Bastille Day party, with disco and fireworks.

Facilities

The village has a handful of bars and restaurants, as well as some basic food shopping.  For bigger facilities Montmorillon is nearby.

Economy

La Trimouille is part of the Montmorillon 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 Primary School and a private primary school, secondary school (College) and college (Lycee) are in Montmorillon (15km).

Key Stats

69.9% of properties here are classed as primary residences, with 14.5% classed as second homes.  There are more females than males resident here (51.4% vs 48.6%). There are more people aged 60 or over than the national average (39.1% vs 21.3%), and there are more retired people here also (31.7% vs 18.2%).  14% of the population are below the age of 19.

Key Facilities and Services: