| Bessines-sur-Gartempe | |
| Commune Status: | Commune |
| Image Coat Of Arms: | Blason ville fr Bessines-sur-Gartempe 87.svg |
| Coordinates: | 46.1097°N 1.3694°W |
| Insee: | 87014 |
| Postal Code: | 87250 |
| Arrondissement: | Bellac |
| Canton: | Ambazac |
| Mayor: | Andréa Brouille[1] |
| Term: | 2020 - 2026 |
| Elevation Min M: | 250 |
| Elevation Max M: | 533 |
| Area Km2: | 55.41 |
Bessines-sur-Gartempe (in French pronounced as /bɛsin syʁ ɡaʁtɑ̃p/, literally Bessines on Gartempe; Limousin: Becinas) is a commune in the Haute-Vienne department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in western France.
The river Semme forms part of the commune's north-eastern border, flows westward through the northern part of the commune, north of Morterolles-sur-Semmes, a hamlet, then forms part of the commune's north-western border.
The river Gartempe forms part of the commune's eastern border, flows westward through the middle of the commune, north of Bessines-sur-Gartempe, the main village, then forms part of the commune's western border.
Inhabitants are known as Bessinauds in French.
In the late 20th century, the community's local band, a traveling chamber orchestra known as "La Banda de Bessines" ("The Bessines Band"), gained some national repute, winning French National Band Championships in 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, and 2005.[2]
Bessines sur Gartempe has also been awarded the prestigious "Village d'Etape" status.[3]
The painter Suzanne Valadon was born in the village in 1865.