Thiat: Where the Inhabitants Lived to the Rhythm of the Slab

In the 7th century, Saint Léger, bishop of Autun and minister of Childéric II, founded a village to which he gave his name. During the Hundred Years War, the English, having been unable to take Le Dorat, headed north and razed the village. Suddenly, the inhabitants move and found Thiat.

Like Saint-Léger, this new town has many artisans. There are blacksmiths, glassmakers, tanners and potters. The clay soil has been the economic heart of Thiat for centuries.

To this industry, the town owed its fame. Fifteen to twenty families were busy making vats, bowls or pots, used for storing milk in particular. The Tuileries have made a lot of people live.

In the woods of Ratier, the remains of an old glassworks have been found. Located 2 km from the department of Vienne, the town comprises two distinct regions. We find, over a length of 6 km, steep hillsides whose highest point, the Chatillon, rises 222 m.Access to the Saut de la Brame
But most of the territory forms a gently sloping plain. The waters of the many streams feed the Gartempe. La Brame is quite fast, especially in the second part of its course. After a peaceful journey of 59 km, the river sees a succession of rocky passages, which create rapids and natural waterfalls. The variety of forms contributes to the picturesque side of the site, the Saut de la Brame. The waters of the river turn the wheels of the mills. In 1862, there were no roads or bridges. During major floods, the Thiachons kept their dead for several days.
The protestant temple
The situation improved the day Thiat obtained his municipal administration in 1861. In 1844, Protestantism made its appearance. Catholics make up three quarters of the population.

Both have a church and practice the different ceremonies of their worship in a regular manner. Everything was done in perfect intelligence. Catholics and Protestants each had their own school. One run by priests and nuns, the other by members of the evangelical society. In 1897, the two establishments merged.

The Saut de la Brame trail in ThiatThiat: 64 km. Take national 147 to Bellac. Continue on E62/N147 towards Poitiers. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto D675. Then follow the D49 towards Thiat Val-d’Oire-et-Gartempe.
Departure : To get there, from Thiat (Val d’Oire and Gartempe), follow the D104 road towards Saint-Remy-en-Montmorillon for about 5 km.
Arrived at a place called Le Breuil, turn left and park in the parking lot provided for this purpose. A protected natural site. Continue on foot towards the Breuil farm, turn right, pass the farmyard and take the path that descends to the Saut de la Brame. It is a protected natural site. Le Saut de la Brame is a site classified as a natural area of fauna and flora ecological interest (ZNIEFF) in the same way as the Vallée de la Brame and its tributaries. It also benefits from Natura 2000 protection.According to the tourist office, the flora and fauna hold some nice surprises. The beaver, a protected species in France, has also taken up residence on the banks of the Gartempe. Its activity on the site does not go unnoticed and signs of its presence are visible along this watercourse. Nearby stands the last keep of the Basse Marche. It overlooks the Brame and makes it a unique place to visit in Haut Limousin. Attention protected site! Respect for the environment and its inhabitants is required.