10 Reasons to Visit Limoges

Traditionally, Limoges is renowned for its decorated porcelain, which you can observe at the Musée National Adrien Dubouché but there’s also the bustling Quartier de la Boucherie to discover as well as plenty of hikes in the surrounding forests and Ambazac Mountains to enjoy. Plus, the Limoges City Pass gives you free access to many of the attractions. Here are our top ten reasons to travel to Limoges.

1. Limoges-Bénédictins station

Even if you’re arriving by car, it’s worth having a look at the stunning train station, which was listed as a monument historique in 1975. Built by Roger Gonthier between 1927 and 1929, it is one of the last monumental train stations in France. The top floors give an amazing view over the city of Limoges as well as the Vienne valley. Gonthier also built the nearby Greenhouse pavilion, an art deco building decorated with mosaic.

2. Adrien Dubouché National Museum (Musée National Adrien Dubouché)

Visit the largest collection of Limoges porcelain in the world — a total of 18,000 works of which 5,000 are on display.

3. Reynou Zoo Park

The Reynou Zoo Park near Limoges features 130 species from around the world within the landscaped grounds of a 19th-century castle.

4. Quartier de la Boucherie (Butcher’s quarter)

The busy Quartier de la Boucherie with its beautifully restored half-timbered houses is the perfect place to sit down, have a coffee and do some people-watching. After a restorative café, visit the 15th-century Chapelle Saint-Aurélien.

5. Corot site in Saint-Junien

A Natural Zone of Ecological Interest, Fauna and Flora (ZNIEFF), the Corot site is only five minutes by car from Saint-Junien town centre. Great for walkers and fishermen as well as fans of geocaching! Children can also try out a short trail with riddles and clues.

6. Limoges Fine Arts Museum

Travel back through time at the Limoges Fine Arts Museum in the former Episcopal Palace from Egypt to the Gallo-Roman era through enamel and contemporary art.

7. Central Halls (Halles Centrales)

Devour some Limousin food at Central Halls at one of the many counters or restaurants. Close by, the church of Saint-Michel des Lions and the secret Temple courtyard are waiting to be explored.

8. Ambazac Mountains

The peaceful Ambazac Mountains offer several long-distance hikes as well as shorter day trails for families to enjoy. The 330-hectare artificial Saint-Pardoux lake offers many opportunities for lovers of water sports as well as fishermen: 192 hectares are reserved for sailing, pedalos, and canoeing with 88 hectares for motor water sports, and 50 hectares for fishing.

9. Casseaux Kiln Museum

Find out more about the lives of the people who made the porcelain at the Casseaux Kiln Museum on the banks of Vienne.

10. Town Hall

Stroll to the Town Hall where you can observe its neo-Renaissance facade as well as the gorgeous fountain in the square made of pink granite, bronze, and porcelain. It was built on the site of the ancient forum and was inspired by the Paris City Hall (Hôtel de Ville, Paris).

Find out more about Limoges: https://www.destination-limoges.com/en/

Fly to Limoges Airport, located just 10kms from the Centre of Limoges. British Airways, EasyJet and Ryanair offer seven routes from UK: Stansted, Gatwick, Manchester, East Midlands, Bristol, Leeds-Bradford, and Southampton. Find out more: www.aeroportlimoges.com