Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Tulle

Founded in 1690, it was absorbed into the French state-owned defense conglomerate GIAT Industries in the 1980s.

[1] Tulle was one of the most important weapons manufacturers in France, producing, among others, the Chassepot, Lebel, Berthier and RSC M1917 rifles.

During World War II the company produced weapons for the German occupying power, but was also a haven of resistance.

The factory location played a part in the Tulle massacre by the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich in June 1944.

MAT remained the most important employer in the Limousin region (now merged into Nouvelle-Aquitaine) until the 1980s.