Mortemart, Haute Vienne, Limousin

Description:

Geography and Transport Links

A small village (commune area 3.6km²) located in the west of Haute Vienne between the towns of Bellac and St Junien.  The village is positioned on the D675 which links those two towns, via the Monts de Blond.  St Junien gives access to the RN141 (east/west) major route, while Bellac enables a connection with both the RN147 (north/south) and the RN145.  For rail access, Bellac provides a link to the major towns of Limoges and Poitiers via the TER service.  The nearest airport is Limoges-Bellegarde offering an increasing range of year-round UK destinations.

 Climate

Despite being inland, Mortemart 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).   Mortemart is part of a zone which receives between 1750 and 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

Tourism

Mortemart is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France (les plus beaux Villages de France), due to its exceptional ancient architecture.  The village was developed around the tenth century castle that was built by Abon Drut, Lord of Mortemart.  The castle was destroyed on the orders of Cardinal Richelieu, and all that remains today is the keep, and some rooms that now accommodate exhibitions.  Three convents were founded here in 1330 by Cardinal Pierre Gauvain, a hospital staffed by the Carmes religious order, a college run by the Augustins religious order and a monastery occupies by the Chartreux religious order (which no longer exists).  Also worth seeing are the Saint Hilaire Church (fifteenth century), and the eighteenth century covered market.  The village is situated close to the foot of the Monts de Blond, with access to picturesque walking, cycling and horse riding.  There is a 9 hole golf course available at nearby Les Villards.

Economy

Mortemart is part of the economic zone of Bellac, 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 hamlet has a restaurant, café and Post office. To find a general store, a hairdresser, and a bakers etc, nearby Nouic (4km) or Blond (5km) and for Doctors and Dentists either Mezieres sur Issoire (10km) or Bellac (12km).  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 St Junien (18km). 

Education

There are no schools in Mortemart. State Nursery/Primary  School can be found in Nouic (4km) or Blond (5km).  Secondary Schools (College) and College (Lycee) can be found in Bellac (12km) and St Junien (18km). 

Key Stats

Of the properties in Mortemart 59.5% are classed as primary residences, with 23.4% being classed as second homes.  There are more females than males resident here (50.8% vs 49.2%), and there are more people aged 60 or over than the national average (32.4% vs 21.3%). The number of retired people is higher (31.3% vs 18.2%).  The percentage of people below the age of 19 is lower than the national average (18.8% vs 24.6%)

Key Facilities and Services: