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Delve into the mystery and captivating history of Limoges by exploring the souterrain de la Règle and the Crypte Saint-Martial. Beneath the bustling streets of the city, a network of secret galleries and vaulted cellars transports you to medieval times. Once used as warehouses or shelters, these underground passages hold many secrets to discover. Whether you are a history buff or looking for an unusual experience, these underground tours will offer you a unique immersion into Limoges' rich past.
A network of galleries with multiple functions
The Rule's Undergrounds
As you stroll through the sunny medieval streets of Limoges take the time to think about the heritage sleeping under your feet. If the half-timbered houses rise around you, deep cellars extend under the cobblestones. If most of these cavities are private, the Tourist Office and the City of Art and History department invite you to discover the underground passages of the abbey of the Rule, an essential power in the city district equipped with dug cellars in the tuff, vaulted thanks to the know-how of medieval builders. Cavities to store, sanitize the city, protect… so many functions to discover during a guided tour in the bowels of the city.
The discreet remains of an abbey
Crypt Saint-Martial
A space now dedicated to major events, the Republic Square also remains the location of the powerful Saint-Martial abbey, a renowned artistic cultural center throughout medieval Christianity. for its songs and the delicacy of its enamels.
Place of an important pilgrimage, its crypt sheltered the relics of Saint-Martial, evangelizer, miracle workers of late antiquity. As you explore the underground ruins of the abbey, you will discover, among the sarcophagi of necropolis, tomb of this historical figure of the city as well as the life of the monks dividing their days between prayer and work. Built in the IX° on the tomb of the holy evangelizer, she was destroyed under Napoleon Ier and completely disappeared from the local landscape to be rediscovered during excavations carried out in 1962 during the construction of an underground car park.
Occasional visits and workshops for families and children
Our unusual underground activities
Throughout the year, experience unusual adventures with your family or children thanks to our one-off tours and workshops. Take part in the fun tour "The Leberous" and dive into the famous Werewolf game… directly in the underground! This Christmas, let yourself be seduced by "The Candlelit Underground", where stories and candlelight create a magical and warm atmosphere to share with the family.
And if you want to let your kids have fun on their own, we have what you need! With the workshop "By the light of the lantern", they create their own lantern before exploring the underground. For Halloween, the workshops "The frenzied underground" (8-12 years) and "The Imps' Underground" (6-8 years old) offer a disguised treasure hunt in the Règle underground, for guaranteed thrills and laughter!
All underground tours of Limoges
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the opening hours for the Limoges underground passages and crypt?
Tours of the Limoges underground are organized at specific times throughout the year. Check out our guided tours schedule on our site to find out the available dates and slots.
Do I need to book in advance to visit the underground passages or the crypt of Limoges?
Yes, it is necessary to reserve your place in advance due to the limited number of participants per tour.
What is the average duration of a visit to the underground passages and a visit to the crypt?
- For the underground rule it takes 30 minutes
- For the Saint-Martial crypt, you should allow 1 hour for the visit.
Where is the starting point for the underground tours? And where is the crypt tour?
The starting point of the visits will be communicated to you after payment and reservation.
Are the tours suitable for children?
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There is no specific age limit for participating in the tours.
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Underground of the Ruler : particularly suitable for younger children thanks to its short duration (30 min) and its mysterious atmosphere, which easily stimulates their imagination.
From the age of 13, families can also discover the atmosphere game and fun visit “The Leberous” “werewolf” style in the unique atmosphere of the underground. Occasional children’s activities are organized throughout the year. See the entire program -
St. Martial Crypt : Parents can bring children under 6 years old, although the experience may be a bit long for them (1 hour visit). Children aged 6 and over, on the other hand, enjoy the visit more and can easily follow the one-hour tour.
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