Limoges is a beautiful, relatively undiscovered French city. From historic architecture to art and culture, here are 14 things to do in Limoges.
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I’d never actually heard of Limoges until it appeared in my search results on Skyscanner earlier this year.
I was looking to book a long weekend break for myself and a couple of my longest-standing friends, so I’d turned to Skyscanner for inspiration.
The three of us go away together every year, but finding somewhere that none of us have visited before, that’s budget friendly and with flights that work for all of us (I live in Shropshire, Gloria lives in Lancashire and Kath lives in Norfolk) is proving more and more difficult every time.
But, on this occasion, Limoges ticked all the boxes. We discovered that Gloria and I could fly to Limoges from Manchester and Kath could fly from London Stansted, with flights both landing and leaving within a few hours of each other. Whilst France wasn’t going to be as cheap as previous destinations we’d visited together, such as Poland, Romania, and Lithuania, Limoges was going to be a lot more budget-friendly than all of those better known, more touristy cities in the country.
Where is Limoges?
Limoges is located in west-central France, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. The city straddles the Vienne River and sits on the western foothills of the Massif Central. It’s just over 200 kilometres northeast of Bordeaux and around 400 kilometres west of Lyon.
What is Limoges famous for?
I’m guessing that the reason you’re reading this post is because you’re considering a trip to Limoges. However, if you’d heard the name ‘Limoges’ at all prior to planning your visit, it’s more than likely in relation to porcelain. Limoges is famous for its world-renowned porcelain, a product the city has been manufacturing since the 18th century, when kaolin deposits were discovered nearby.
More than 50% of all porcelain made in France comes from Limoges, and you can find the world’s largest public collection of Limoges porcelain on display at the Musée National Adrien Dubouché — located along Pl. Winston Churchill, just outside the city’s historic centre.
And, if porcelain isn’t really my thing, is Limoges worth visiting?
Absolutely! Porcelain wasn’t really our thing either, and there was definitely no chance of bringing any porcelain home with us when we were travelling with under the seat bags only.
The good news is that there are plenty of things to do in Limoges that aren’t porcelain-related.
Limoges is an attractive, underrated, and relatively undiscovered city that’s steeped in history. You’ll find a grand 13th century Gothic cathedral, a well-preserved medieval district, a couple of medieval stone bridges, and an architecturally distinctive railway station that’s arguably one of the most beautiful in the whole of France. Limoges is also home to a fantastic art museum, some buzzing markets, and a plethora of independent boutiques and galleries.
Beautiful crafts on sale in one of Limoges’ independent shops
And, of course, it being France, there are quality dining options and wine bars aplenty.
Do I need to speak French?
Whilst you can generally get by in the more touristy areas of France without knowing any of the language, due to Limoges being a little bit off the beaten track, English is much less widely spoken here compared to larger cities such as Bordeaux, Nice, Marseille, or Paris.
So, being able to speak and understand a little French will offer huge benefits when it comes to ordering food, booking tickets or asking for directions.
Although I do have a GCSE in French under my belt, it was some (read: many!) years ago, and I’ve not really needed to use it much since. So, I did struggle a little in Limoges. If you’re in the same situation and want to brush up on your French, you may want to pick up a French phrasebook prior to your trip.
Getting to Limoges
We booked our flights from the UK to Limoges with Ryanair via Skyscanner. The flight time (one-way) is around one hour and 45 minutes.
Although Limoges’ airport is under 10 kilometres from the centre of the city, public transport provisions are not brilliant – especially when you’re visiting outside of the summer months (as we were).
The only bus that departs from the airport itself (opposite Hotel Citotel les Alizes) is the number 26. It runs as far as Pl. W. Churchill, just outside Limoges’ historic centre, and the journey time is around 15 minutes. However, even in the height of summer, this service only runs three times a day (07:15, 08:15, and 13:24) and doesn’t run on Sundays. Whilst the service does technically run all year round, as far as I can find decipher from my online research, there is only one daily departure at other times of the year (13:24).
If the number 26 doesn’t depart at a time to suit you, but you’d still like to keep costs down and don’t mind a bit of a walk, the number 17 and 33 depart from the stop marked on the map below. According to Google, it’s a 25-minute walk (approximately two kilometres) from the airport to the bus stop and the bus journey should take around 20-25 minutes.
If you follow this link to the TCL website, you can look at timetables for the exact dates of your visit.
For convenience, and because our apartment was located on the opposite side of the city to Pl. W. Churchill, we booked an uber. At the time of our visit (April 2025), this cost us around €26.
Where to stay in Limoges
Whenever I go away for a long weekend break, I always aim to stay as central as my budget will allow, in order to save time, keep public transport costs to a minimum, and to make sightseeing as convenient as possible.
However, as we noticed when booking our weekend in Santander the year before, staying a short walk from Limoges’ historic centre afforded us a much better standard of accommodation, with the added bonus of an outdoor terrace and garden available to us.
The apartment we chose was just a few minutes’ walk from Limoges’ train station and under a kilometre (around a 10-minute walk) from its historic centre.
Dupain et Dubeurre apartment, Limoges, France
Dupain et Dubeurre is absolutely stunning and full of character! There are seven apartments spread over three floors, ranging from a small studio that sleeps two people to larger apartments that sleep up to five people. We stayed in ‘Raspoutine’ (apartment number 6), which was arranged as a duplex, with the living room and kitchen downstairs and the two bedrooms and a bathroom on the upper level. Gloria and I had a single bed each, Kath had a double bed to herself, and there was also a sofa bed available in the living room.
As well as being spacious, colourful and bright (the living room and kitchen/diner is dual aspect) with ample seating and thoughtful design touches throughout, we appreciated the inclusion of a coffee machine (complete with complimentary pods) and a bluetooth speaker, so that we could listen to our favourite tunes in the evening whilst catching up over a bottle or two of quality French wine.
If Dupain et Dubeurre is fully booked, we also bookmarked the following places to stay in Limoges.
- La Villa Beaupeyrat. An apart-hotel housed in a beautiful 19th century former mansion. It has a ton of period architectural elements, a south-facing wooded garden, and private on-site parking.
- Maison d’hôte Les Allois. Located in a beautiful part of Limoges close to the city’s cathedral. Room rates include an ‘exceptional’ breakfast.
- Hôtel de Paris. Overlooking the iconic Jardin du Champ de Juliett, part-way between the railway station and the historic centre. Beautifully decorated rooms in a grand 19th century building.
How many days do I need to explore Limoges?
We had an evening, two full days, and one half day with which to explore the city, and I felt like we managed to tick off the majority of sights and activities we had on our list. However, I’d probably recommend three or four full days in order to fully appreciate everything the city has to offer.
Jardins d’Orsay, Limoges
Now that we’ve covered getting to Limoges, where to stay in Limoges, and how long you need to spend there, let’s move on to what there is to see and do in the city. Here are 14 wonderful things to do in Limoges.
Things to do in Limoges
1 | Start the day with an amazing breakfast at Idylle Limoges
A successful day of sightseeing always begins with a great breakfast (in my humble opinion), so I’m starting this list with a foodie recommendation.
We tried a few places for breakfast during our stay in Limoges, but by far and away the best one was a serendipitous discovery Gloria and I made on our last morning in the city.
Idylle Limoges doesn’t look like much from it’s small innocuous entrance on Rue de la Boucherie, but if you walk through the cafe and open the back door, you’ll find a lovely hidden courtyard that backs on to Place de la Barreyrette. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy some delicious food and coffee in the beautifully warm morning sunshine.
The sunny courtyard at Idylle Limoges backs on to Place de la Barreyrette
I ordered the avocado toast with smoked salmon and it was a thing of pure beauty, as well as tasting absolutely amazing!
My delicious beautifully-presented breakfast at Idylle Limoges
2 | Take an aimless wander around the Quartier de la Boucherie
So named because it was once the heart of the city’s butcher’s guild, Limoges’ Quartier de la Boucherie is a historic district characterised by its authentic well-preserved half-timbered buildings and narrow, winding cobbled streets.
It’s one of the oldest parts of the city, dating back to the 14th century, and serves as an atmospheric reminder of the vibrant leather trade that flourished there.
Quartier de la Boucherie, Limoges
No visit to Limoges is complete without an aimless wander through this enchanting neighbourhood, so, of all the things to do in Limoges, make sure this one makes it to the top of your itinerary!
Don’t miss:
Librairie Nivet. You’ll find this rare bookstore opposite Idylle Limoges on Rue de la Boucherie. It looks like it’s been there for centuries and it probably has! It sells old books from the 15th century onwards, as well as maps, posters, photographs and documents. If you’re a bibliophile, visiting Librarie Nivet is one of the best things to do in Limoges.
Good to know: it’s closed on Wednesdays, and it also shuts over the lunchtime period between 12:30-15:00 hours.
Librairie Nivet, Limoges
Chapelle Saint Aurélien. Built in the 15th century and remodelled in the 17th, this tiny chapel houses the remains of Saint Aurélien — the patron saint of butchers. Sadly, it was covered in scaffolding when we visited (hence why there’s no photograph below), but, hopefully, you’ll be fortunate enough to see it in all its glory.
It’s located in Place St. Aurélien, where Rue de la Boucherie meets Rue du Canal, next door to the popular bar, Le Duc Etienne.
Maison Traditionnelle de la Boucherie. Located at number 36 Rue de la Boucherie, this traditional butcher’s house has been transformed into a museum. It depicts the lives of butchers and their families, with the aid of original furniture, tools, writings and photographs.
Good to know: Admission is free, but this museum currently only opens during July and August. Entry is permitted Tuesday-Saturday between 14:00-18:00 hours, with tours departing every 30 minutes.
3 | Visit Cathédrale St. Étienne
Limoges’ cathedral is located in a lovely, tranquil part of the city, beside the Vienne River and adjacent to the Jardin Botanique de l’Eveche. Construction began as early as 1273, but the cathedral wasn’t finished until 1888, when the nave was connected to the belltower. The final result is a mixture of architectural styles — primarily Gothic, but with Romanesque and Renaissance elements, too.
The 62-metre-high bell tower once had a spire, but a powerful hurricane in 1443 destroyed the original, and a subsequent storm in 1483 and lightning strike in 1571 destroyed both the stone and then the lead-covered wooden replacements.
Cathédrale St. Étienne, Limoges
Inside, you’ll find some incredible stained glass windows and intricate stone carvings, as well as an astronomical clock crafted in the 15th century and a unique organ with over 5000 pipes that was constructed by the master organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll.
Once you’ve visited the cathedral, don’t forget to have a wander through the botanical gardens. Although a lot of the plants and flowers were only just starting to bloom when we visited at the very beginning of April, I imagine it’s a lot more colourful as summer approaches.
Jardin Botanique de l’Eveche, Limoges
4 | Embark upon a journey through history at the Musée des Beau Artes
Housed inside a beautifully-restored 18th century bishops’s palace, Limoges’ Fine Art Museum is a must-see on your itinerary of things to do in Limoges.
Egyptian and Roman exhibits (and Kath!) at Limoges’ Fine Art Museum
A visit to the museum takes you on a journey through the ages, from Egyptian and Roman times through to modern-day. The museum houses 2000 pieces from Egypt (from a private donation) , as well as a plethora of Roman artifacts, an impressive fine art collection, modern and contemporary sculptures, prints and drawings, and over 600 pieces of enamel.
A few of the 600+ pieces of enamel on display at Limoges’ Fine Art Museum
We spent a good couple of hours here and loved every minute of it!
5 | Take a walk along the river and cross the city’s two medieval bridges
Not only is a relaxing stroll along the banks of the Vienne River one of the most delightful things to do in Limoges, it also helps you to orientate yourself with the city.
From the Musée des Beaux-Arts, it’s an easy walk down to Limoges’ first medieval bridge — Pont Saint Etienne.
Completed in 1203 and listed as a historic monument in 1907, Pont Saint Etienne is 120 metres long and is supported by seven arches.
Pont Saint Etienne, Limoges
Although Pont Saint Martial was constructed around the same time as Pont Saint Etienne, its origins go back much further — it was built on the remains of an ancient Roman bridge.
Pont Saint Martial, Limoges
We found Pont Saint Martial a lot quieter than Pont Saint Etienne, as it’s a little further away from the rest of the city’s attractions. We also loved the half-timbered houses at one end of the bridge and the attractive gardens nearby.
Half-timbered houses at one end of Pont saint Martial and some attractive gardens nearby
6 | Learn all about Limoges porcelain at the Musée du Four des Casseaux
During the industrial period, the Vienne River was used for floating timber and firewood from the Limousin forest, and in the 19th century, this timber was used to supply the many porcelain kilns in the city. The oldest of these kilns, Four des Casseaux, still exists today, and can be found inside the museum of the same name.
Musée du Four des Casseaux, Limoges
It’s the only kiln in the city to be classified as a historical monument, and the bonus is that you can actually walk inside it. Its 80 cubic metre volume allowed a massive 15,000 pieces of porcelain to be fired simultaneously.
Four des Casseaux – the oldest kiln in Limoges and the only one to be classified as a historical monument
Since opening to the public in 1992, the museum has been managed by the Espace Porcelaine Association — an organisation that aims to protect and promote the industrial heritage of Limoges porcelain.
There’s also a large on-site shop, in case you want to bring home any souvenirs. Be warned though — Limoges porcelain comes at a price! The mugs and plant pots were much more budget-friendly.
Some of the more affordable souvenirs for sale at the Musée du Four des Casseaux, Limoges
Good to know: the museum is open Monday-Saturday 10:00-12:30 hours and 14:00-17:30 hours.
7 | Discover the hidden Cour du Temple
Had we not been looking for it, we would easily have missed this tiny enclosed courtyard, tucked between rue du Temple and rue du Consulat.
The courtyard is surrounded by an incredibly well preserved collection of 16th-century granite and half-timbered private mansions.
A beautiful dog poses for me in the Cour du Temple, Limoges
8 | Shop for colourful, fresh produce at Les Halles Centrales
Built in the late 19th century and listed as a historic monument in August 1976, Les Halles Centrales is Limoges’ covered market. The design of the 50-metre-long and 35-metre-wide structure was inspired by Gustaf Eiffel, with its decorative metal arches, detailed brickwork and iconic metal and glass roof.
What makes Les Halles Centrales unique is the beautiful frieze that you see just above the arches in the photograph below. It’s made up of 328 high-fire porcelain tiles, each depicting a different product sold inside the market.
Les Halles Centrales, Limoges
As food plays such an important part in a country’s culture, I love visiting fresh produce markets when I travel. The atmosphere inside Les Halles Centrale is buzzing and convivial, as locals catch up on the weekly news and gossip whilst making a purchase from one of the 80+ vendors you’ll find inside.
Colourful, tasty produce at Les Halles Centrales, Limoges
Good to know: the market is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 07:00-13:00 hours and Thursday-Sunday 07:00-15:00 hours. It’s closed on Mondays.
9 | Admire the Gare de Bénédictins
If you’re travelling to Limoges from somewhere else in France, you may well find yourself arriving into Limoges’ Gare Bénédictins (the city’s railway station).
But, even if you’re not arriving into or departing from Limoges’ railway station, I’d thoroughly recommend that you add a visit here into your Limoges itinerary, because Limoges’ Gare de Bénédictins is said to be one of the most beautiful railway stations in the whole of France.
Inside Limoges’ railway station
Built in 1929 on the grounds of an old leprosarium, and listed as a historic monument since 1975, Limoges’ Gare de Bénédictins gets its name from the old Benadictine Monastery the leprosarium was once attached to. The structure blends several architectural styles — namely Belle Époque, Art Deco and Art Nouveau.
Its clock tower is 67 metres high — taller than that of the Gare de Lyon in Paris — and features four clock faces, all linked together and all two minutes ahead of time, to ensure traveller punctuality!
Limoges-Bénédictins train station, Limoges
Fun fact: In 2008, Limoges railway station was used to shoot the commercial for Chanel N°5 perfume: ‘Train de Nuit’, starring French actress Audrey Tautou, of Amelie fame.
There are lovely views of the station from the adjacent park, Jardin du Champ de Juliett.
Limoges’ Gare de Bénédictins, viewed from Jardin du Champ de Juliett
10| Stop by the stunning Hôtel de Ville (City Hall)
Located just outside the historic centre, on the site of an old Roman forum, Limoges’ Hôtel de Ville is one of the most striking pieces of architecture in the city.
The grand Renaissance-style building was designed by architect Charles-Alfred Leclerc, who took his inspiration from the Hôtel de Ville in Paris. Construction began in July 1879, and Limoges’ Hôtel de Ville officially opened its doors to the public on 14 July 1883.
The stunning Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), Limoges
Top tip: if you’re a coffee lover, I thoroughly recommend a visit to Choncote. It’s across the road from the City Hall. Their coffee is the best I tasted in Limoges and even though I’d only had breakfast a couple of hours beforehand, I couldn’t resist sampling one of their delectable cakes to accompany it.
Coffee and cake at Choncote, Limoges
11 | Get your feline fix at Limoges’ Cat Cafe
Limoges’ cat cafe, Once Upon a Cat is located in the city’s Quartier de la Boucherie.
With a fairy-tale theme that sits somewhere between Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter (their words!), this cosy little cafe will make you feel like you’ve entered a mystical realm of magic and wizardry.
Even one of the cats (bottom left) looks like he may cast a spell on you if you catch his gaze for just a moment too long! 😉
A selection of the feline residents at Once Upon a Cat, Limoges
12 | Take a peek inside the Église Saint-Michel-des-Lions à Limoges
So named due to the two granite lions guarding its entrance, the Église Saint-Michel-des-Lions à Limoges was built in the 14th century on the site of a much earlier chapel that was destroyed by two fires, in 1123 and 1147.
It contains the remains of Limoges’ first bishop, St. Martial (pictured below, top right), as well as some impressive stained glass windows dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries.
Église Saint-Michel-des-Lions à Limoges
13 | Check out some unique and fascinating exhibitions at the Galerie des Hospices
Housed inside a former hospital built in the 17th century, the Galerie des Hospices is an exhibition hall which opened its doors to the public in 2002.
The entrance was a little difficult to locate, and it’s important to note that the gallery doesn’t open its doors until 2 p.m. every day, but once you have managed to gain entry, the pieces of artwork you’ll find inside will blow you away. Just look at how intricate and detailed these pieces of porcelain are!
Fascinating exhibition at Galerie des Hospices, Limoges
14 | Indulge in some French wine and cheese
I’m bringing this article full circle by finishing with another foodie recommendation!
Is it even possible to come to France without indulging in a couple of their specialities, wine and cheese?
My internet research suggested that Place Fontaine des Barres was the place to head to check out Limoges’ bustling café scene, but, truth be told, you’ll find pockets of nightlife in other areas of the city, too.
We loved wine bar, Le Bacchus (just off Place Fontaine des Barres). I ordered a glass of Côtes du Rhône, which I can thoroughly recommend if you like your rich, full-bodied reds. However, if that’s not your thing, there are 20 different wines available by the glass and a massive 200 by the bottle.
Indulging in French wine and cheese at Bacchus and Brasserie Michard, Limoges
We also stopped for cheese and wine at Brasserie Michard, located at Place Denis Dussoubs, on the edge of Limoges’ historic centre.
Although Brasserie Michard is advertised as a microbrewery, serving four different types of beer that they actually brew on-site, we really enjoyed the wine here, and their huge cheeseboards are great for sharing.
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