Smart Limoges Pass
Guided tours
Groups and events
Shop and ticket office
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.
Visit the basements of Limoges!
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 Saint-Martial Crypt, a discreet vestige of a flourishing abbey
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 from 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the opening hours for visits to the Limoges underground passages?
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 you need to book in advance to visit the Limoges underground?
Yes, it is necessary to reserve your place in advance due to the limited number of participants per tour.
How long does an average visit to the underground passages last?
For the underground of the rule you have to count 30 minutes and for the Saint-Martial crypt you have to count 1 hour of visit.
Where is the starting point for the underground tours?
The starting point of the visits will be communicated to you after payment and reservation.
Are the tours suitable for children?
There is no specific age limit for children during visits.
Parents can therefore take children from Less than 6 years old at the Saint-Martial Crypt, although the experience may not be fully adapted at their age. From 6 years, children usually show more interest and are able to participate in a one-hour visit.
For the Rule underground, the visits are particularly suitable for young children because of their short duration and the mysterious atmosphere that can capture their imagination
