The historic core of the town formed in the Middle Ages around the viscount's castle and the Saint-Martial abbey, the Upper Town today offers a varied urban landscape made up of traditional half-timbered houses, classical and modern buildings.
Gay Lussac High School
This former Jesuit college was built in two stages, under Louis XIII then Louis XV. Its classic XNUMXth century main facadee was designed by the Limousin architect Joseph Brousseau.
Church of Saint-Pierre-Du-Queyroix
This church with four naves was built in the XNUMXthe and XIVe centuries. Restored in 2013, a very beautiful stained glass window dating in part from the XNUMXthe century represents the Dormition of the Virgin. The richness of the furniture bears witness to the history of religious practices.
- Thierry laporte
- City of Limoges – Laurent Lagarde
- VDL – L. Lagarde
The Saint-Martial site / Place de la République
Beneath the Place de la République, built in the 60s, a vast archaeological crypt showing traces of an ancient necropolis, the tomb of Saint Martial and the remains
of the immense Saint Martial abbey which shone in medieval Aquitaine.
Guided tours organized by the Tourist Office.
Rue Jean Jaures
Breakthrough between the two Wars to open up the town centre, this shopping street is lined with buildings representative of the Art Deco style. Several have received the Heritage of the XX labele century.
- Julien Dodinet
Consulate Street
In this street which has beautiful bourgeois residences, was the seat of the consuls who administered the city. At number 15, the facade of the birthplace of Chancellor d'Aguesseau (1668-1751) has been preserved.
The courtyard of the Temple
This private courtyard serves wealthy residences whose granite stairs and columns soberly reflect the Renaissance spirit. Note: the paving in shards of gazettes (earthenware boxes used in the firing of porcelain).
- City of Limoges – Laurent Lagarde
The Church of Saint-Michel-des-Lions
With its Limousin-style bell tower whose spire is surmounted by a copper ball, this beautiful hall church (XIVe and XVe centuries) houses the reliquary shrine of Saint Martial. Two ancient lions guard the entrance, Place Saint-Michel.
Place du Présidial
This square is surrounded by several public and private buildings of the XVIIe, XVIIIeand XIXe centuries (Présidial, Maledent de Feytiat hotel and Intendance). It was under the Old Regime, the administrative and judicial district of Limoges.
- Julien Dodinet
The Maledent Hotel
Below the Saint-Michel-des-Lions church, this former private mansion was occupied by the Maledent de Feytiat family, treasurers of France. With its courtyard with an open gallery and its classical portal with columns, it evokes provincial civil architecture in the XNUMXth century.e century, influenced by the Renaissance.
The fountain square of the bars
In the heart of an island that survived the demolitions of the early XNUMXth centurye century, this square has kept its medieval triangular shape. Originally a simple granite basin covered with bars, the fountain was surmounted by a pyramid in the XNUMXth century.e century.
- Marjolaine Barderot
Place Denis Dussoubs
Arranged in the XVIIIe century on the site of a medieval gate, this former royal square offers a homogeneous brick architecture. It owes its name to the Republican who died on the barricades in 1851 in defense of the Republic.
- Thierry laporte
The Adrien Dubouché National Museum
Created in 1845, the Adrien Dubouché National Museum, Cité de la Céramique Sèvres & Limoges, entirely renovated in 2012, preserves more than 16 representative pieces of the arts of fire. It has the largest public collection of Limoges porcelain in the world.
- OTI Limoges – A. Lacotte
- VDL – Alexis Bernardet
Adrien Dubouché ©City of Limoges City of Limoges
The Orsay garden
This garden was created by the intendant Boucher d'Orsay in the XVIIIe century. Its vast shaded terraces cover the remains of the amphitheater of Augustoritum, one of the largest in Roman Gaul.
Theatrical walk ©City of Limoges City of Limoges
The place of groin
Wanted by the king's steward, Nicolas d'Aine, on the site of one of the city gates, this square is bordered to the north by a row of 1864th century buildings with arcades on the ground floor. roadway, to the east by buildings built after a fire in XNUMX and to the west by the court.
- Thierry laporte
Place de la Motte
The mound, now leveled, sheltered Xe to the XIIIe century the castle of the viscount of Limoges. The vast halls, built in 1889, with a metal frame, are inspired by the architectural principles of Gustave Eiffel. 328 high-fire porcelain panels decorate the building, this fine example of architectural porcelain.
- Laurent Lagarde
- Laurent Lagarde
- City of Limoges
The butchery district
Since the XIIIe century until the XXe century, the district was inhabited by butchers and marked by their social and professional life. At n°36, the house of the Butchery evokes the activity of this corporation. Spared from demolitions in the XXe century, the district comes alive during the Frairie des Petits Ventres in October.
- Vincent Ferron – City of Limoges
- City of Limoges
- Julien Dodinet - City of Limoges
Saint-Aurélien chapel
Built by the corporation of butchers in 1475, this private chapel shelters behind a beautiful baroque altarpiece, the relics of Saint-Aurélien, second bishop of Limoges and patron of the brotherhood of Butchers. On the front, a XNUMXth century crosse century comes from the Carmelite convent.
- Julien Dodinet
The Francophone Multimedia Library
Signed by Pierre Riboulet, the Francophone Multimedia Library was inaugurated in 1998. The former XNUMXth century hospitale century is connected by a winter garden to a glass architecture oriented according to the plan of the ancient city. Archaeological excavations have revealed a mosaic exhibited inside the building.
- City of Limoges
- Laurent Lagarde
- City of Limoges
City Hall
The majestic town hall, inaugurated in 1883, stands on the site of the former ancient forum. On a granite base, the main limestone facade combines the Renaissance and Louis XIII styles. The slate roofs distinguish three bodies of buildings dominated by a campanile.
- City of Limoges
- Thierry laporte
Lachaniette Conservatory
A self-guided tour presents the different facets of porcelain creation. The know-how acquired over the centuries rubs shoulders with contemporary creations from large manufacturers or small designer workshops.
- Anne-Sophie Dubreuil
- Anne-Sophie Dubreuil
- Thierry laporte
People's House
Inaugurated in 1936, the Maison du Peuple is a place made available to trade unions and associations by the city. It is labeled heritage of the XXe century and bears witness to the social history
urban.
- City of Limoges – Vincent Schrive
Greenhouse pavilion
This former refrigerated pavilion inaugurated in 1920 was designed by Roger Gonthier, architect of the station. The mosaic decor evokes Art Nouveau while the geometry of the lines and the use of reinforced concrete link the building to the Art Deco style.
- OTI Limoges – Amandine Lacotte
- OTI Limoges – Hervé Chaisemartin
- Greengrocer's pavilion ©City of Limoges