Bellac is a French commune in the department Haute Vienne. As an Englishman who emigrated to France first considered buying our premier home in Bellac. Bellac has a distinctive heritage; a famous French author who was born in 1882 Jean Giraudoux. The town has old buildings which provide a heritage of it”s tanning history. Bellac tanneries

• Arrondissement: Bellac
• Population: 4,152
• The People: Bellachons
• Area: 24.42 km2
• Region: Nouvelle Aquitaine

Welcome to our blog but first please let us introduce ourselves. 

We are a small Window Shutter manufacturing business that has an affinity to the beautiful country France. Our workshops are powered by 60% of ecologically produced electricity and the extra electric requirement is supplemented by EDF. The wood we use is certified by PEFC. Working ethically is important to us.

We hope you enjoy our blog on the historic commune Bellac

Famous authors of Bellac

Jean Giraudoux Died in 1944 he was a writer and dramatist and just like Shakespeare a playwright. Another author of the same period Charles Silvestre who was born in 1889.

Murals of shutters  on walls

Bellac like la Souterainne also has street art in the form of wall paintings depicting life scenes.

Medieval Bellac

The younger areas of this town our little bit uninspiring but if you venture away from the town centre you will find real treasures of Bellac. 

Old Tanneries of Bellac

My own heritage has some similarities to that of Bellac. The process of tanning was an important industry in its time.  the Tanning process was used to mature leather hides so it can be used for shoes or even saddles. the Tanning process involved the use of urine. Bellachons would have to to go out and collect urine from dogs or even people.  My own ancestor Robert Kett the instigator of the 1549 Ketts Rebellion in Norwich was not only just a major landowner and landlord but a tanner.

River Le Vincou

In the lower parts of Bellac there is the river le Vincou.  bordered by green areas where you can picnic. when I and my wife if you want to feel moments to enjoy our surroundings while eating cucumber sandwiches. Along trots accompany of horses probably from the local Equestrian Centre.  they quickly did an about-turn and entered the river trotting downstream disappearing under the small ancient Bridge.