Mézières-sur-Issoire, Haute Vienne, Limousin

Description:

Geography and Transport Links

A small village situated in the far north-west of Haute Vienne, near to the town of Bellac.  The D951 runs through the village, linking traffic with Confolens (Charente) to the west, and Bellac to the east.  The RN147 which links to Poitiers and Limoges can be accessed on the outskirts of Bellac.  Mézières-sur-Issoire does not have a rail link, and the nearest is at Bellac for access to local TER services.  The nearest airport is Limoges-Bellegarde, offering an increasing number of destinations to the UK all year round.  The commune of Mezieres-sur-Issoire covers 44.16km2.

Climate

Despite being inland, Mézières-sur-Issoire benefits from the warming effects of the Atlantic Ocean, with cool [but not excessively cold], short winters, and warm [occasionally very hot summers].  To the south and west, the temperatures become cooler due to the increased elevation of the land, with increased rainfall.  The wettest month is November with 7.18cm of precipitation, and the driest is March with 4.74cm.  Average summer high temperatures range between 21-24C (low 12-15C).  In winter, average daytime temperatures are between 7-8C (low 2-3C).   Mézières-sur-Issoire is part of a zone which receives between 1750 and 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

Tourism

The village is identified by passing motorists by its statue sheep, which look as though they are about to run out into the road.  This is either a statement of the heritage and economy of the place, or a cunning ploy to slow-down speeding motorists.  Mézières was home to the painter Suzanne Léger, who lived in the village from 1960 until her death in 1989.  She was renowned for pastel and water-colour paintings of Limousin landscapes, and a museum of her work is available to view at the town hall, where 200 works are on show.  The village has a restored twelfth century church, and close to the fishing lake is a sixteenth century chateau (private).  A little further along the road to Nouic is the thirteenth century Chateau le Fraisse, which serves both as a visitor attraction and Chambre d'Hotes.  The nearby Chemin de Bonnefond is a walking circuit of 8.5km, taking ramblers past old wells and interesting bridges.  The village holds a Flower Festival in May, a Summer Music Festival in June/July and hosts a large Vide-Grenier (car boot sale) in September.  On the second and fourth Monday of every month the large livestock (sheep) market takes place.

Economy

Mézières, like nearby Bussiere Poitevine, is an agricultural village predominantly centred around sheep farming.  Agri- Mézières is amongst the larger businesses, selling and repairing agricultural equipment and supplies.  The other notable businesses here are Cotralim (construction), and Alfred Boos the Ford motor dealer.  Mezieres-sur-Issoire  is part of the economic zone of the same name, which has an unemployment rate of 6.1%, compared against the regional rate of 7.2% and the national rate of 9.1% (INSEE 2006).

Facilities

This small village has most amenities including two general stores, a hairdresser and three restaurants.

There is an outdoor swimming pool at Bellac (12km) that opens between May and September.  For year round swimming you would need to travel to either Saint Junien (30km).

Education

There is one state Nursery/Primary  School.  Secondary School (College) and Colleges (Lycee) can be found in nearby Bellac (12km).

Key Stats

Of the properties in Mezieres-sur-Issoire, 71.2% are classed as primary residences, with 10.5% being classed as second homes.  There are more females than males resident here (50.4% vs 49.6%), and there are more people aged 60 or over than the national average (36.1% vs 21.3%). The number of retired people is higher (28.9% vs 18.2%).  The percentage of people below the age of 19 is lower than the national average (19.1% vs 24.6%)

Key Facilities and Services:

Restaurant in Mézières-sur-Issoire

Accommodation in Mézières-sur-Issoire

Property in Haute Vienne

Buisnesses in or covering Haute Vienne