The Vienne department is a transition point between northern and southern France: the ‘Seuil du Poitou’ area is where the Paris basin to the north and the Aquitaine basin to the south meet. Close to two thirds of the 438 000 inhabitants live in the Poitiers area. Around 80% of the workforce works in commerce or services, though industry (nuclear, aeronautics and automotive) also plays an important role. In terms of agriculture, crop production dominates the north while more livestock farming happens in the south. 14% of Vienne’s population lives below the poverty line, slightly more than the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional average.