Tulle is a Departmental capital and an important centre of commerce and industry. In addition to Bury, Tulle is twinned with Renteria (Spain), Schorndorf (Germany) and Smolensk (Russia). Tulle has been twinned with Bury since 1969 (with Prestwich prior to 1974).
The Ville de Tulle has a population of 16,000. The Pays de Tulle, consisting of the Ville de Tulle and the surrounding villages, has a population of about 48,000. The town is situated on the western slopes of the Massif Central and the surrounding countryside bears a similarity to the Lake District. The town lies in a natural basin with the river Corrèze flowing through its centre. 90 kilometres(55 miles) south of Limoges and about 130 kilometres (80 miles) south east of Angoulême
It is the capital of the Department of Corrèze in the
Region of Limousin. The Departmental council
offices are situated in a former monastic building.
In the nineteen-nineties Tulle’s main industry of the
manufacture of armaments went into decline. At one
time Tulle was famous for its lace. After the French revolution this industry disappeared
but the tradition is maintained by a voluntary organisation. Tulle claims to be
the capital of the accordion and is famous for their manufacture.
The cathedral, which before 1317 was an abbey, is situated at the east end of the
town. There are two markets, one at each end of the town, which both take place
on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
Tulle has four museums. The Cloister Museum, next to the cathedral, shows monastic
finds, local lace - “Le Poinct de Tulle”- , archaeological finds, and Maugin accordions.
Nearby is the Museum of Resistance and Deportation. There is an accordion museum
at the Maugin accordion factory. At the west end of the town, at the former armaments
factory, is the Armaments Museum.
Between La Rue Jean Jaurès and La Rue de la Barrière, is Le Passage Bury. It has
a red British telephone kiosk and a red British letter box – both donated by Bury.
