Limoges! Capital of Arts and Fire
Practical Guide
Are you looking for ideas for outings and don't want to miss the opportunities to discover the capital of Arts and Fire? We have prepared a small practical guide to help you make the right choices during your stay in Limoges and its surroundings.
Walking Ideas:
- The banks of the Vienne
The district of the banks of the Vienne, at the foot of the cathedral, is a special place. The river is crossed by two remarkable medieval bridges from the 13th century: the Saint-Étienne Bridge and the Saint-Martial Bridge.
- The Bishop's Gardens
Right in the heart of the Cité district, the botanical garden is located behind the municipal museum of the Bishopric (an old palace built in the 18th century). Spread over 5 hectares, you will find beauty and the tranquility of enjoying the fauna and flora in the heart of downtown Limoges. View of the Vienne and our majestic Cathedral.
- Saint-Étienne Cathedral
Located in the heart of the old Cité district, this masterpiece blending Gothic and Roman styles is one of the most remarkable in Limoges. The building will also dazzle your eyes at night.
Construction began in the 13th century and was completed only in the 19th century.
Place de la Cathédrale, 87000 Limoges
- Limoges-Bénédictins Railway Station
This may be the first thing you see when arriving in Limoges.
LIMOGES STATION - 4, place Maison Dieu 87036 Limoges
- Limoges Porcelain
Limoges is well known for its decorated porcelain.
You will find its oldest factory, established in 1816, just a few steps from the Vienne river.
Royal Limoges - 28 rue Donzelot, 87000 LIMOGES
- The Butcher's Quarter
In the heart of Limoges, whether during the day or at dusk, travel back in time in this picturesque neighborhood that is sure to awaken your taste buds. This place is also known for its medieval architecture with timber-framed houses and its small squares (Saint-Aurélien, Barreyrette).
Event for food lovers: Every year, in October, don’t miss the famous gastronomic festival "La frairie des petits ventres"
- The Aurence Park
It is a place to walk with friends, take a family stroll (with playgrounds), or do outdoor sports in a natural space.
There is a petting zoo open from 10 AM to 8 PM from April to October, and until 4:30 PM for the rest of the year. You can meet goats, a guinea fowl, a rooster, a sheep, rabbits, and many other animals.
Then, a forested area crossed by a stream that gave its name to the park: La l'Aurence.
Ideas for visits:
- The Adrien Dubouché National Museum
Adrien Dubouché Museum
This is a museum dedicated to porcelain. Indeed, Limoges porcelain is one of the main porcelain productions in France, and this museum holds the largest collection in the world. You can find explanations on how porcelain is made, as well as the history of ceramics, all while admiring the Limoges porcelain pieces on display.
The museum offers the “MNAD Limoges” app to guide your visit with commentary, and for everyone’s convenience, it is free if you download it yourself or at a cost of 2 euros if you rent an iPad and headphones at the museum.
For a fun experience, a game booklet is available at the museum reception.
Good to know: entrance is free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month.
Ticketing Get directions
- The Museum of Fine Arts
Formerly known as the Bishop's Museum, it is located, as its name suggests, amidst the beautiful French-style botanical gardens of the Bishopric, which span about 5 hectares. You can find sculptures, paintings, and other works of art that once adorned the most famous buildings of Limoges. This museum also holds one of the most significant collections of enamels, ranging from medieval enamels to contemporary pieces, that is, from the Middle Ages to today.
This museum is open every day from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, except on Tuesdays and Sunday mornings.
Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month.
Tariffs Go there
- The Limousin Aquarium
Located across from the town hall, the aquarium is housed in an old underground water reservoir. It was established with the goal of introducing aquatic species to the public. After its opening, private individuals requested to take care of their aquatic animals, and that's how the aquarium became a refuge, in addition to being a place to visit. You can see more than 3,000 animals and over 300 species from around the world. Activities such as feeding some animals, discovering the laboratory and nursery, or participating in a treasure hunt will be available.
Open every day from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
Ticketing Go there
Activities:
- Aquapolis
Aquatic center, but not only that!
There is indeed an aquatic space with an Olympic-sized pool, a diving pit, a learning pool, and several pools for relaxation, but there is also a wellness space and an aesthetic area. These include 3 saunas, 4 hammams, a tepidarium, a cold bath, massaging showers, and everything needed to relax with services like massages, body and facial treatments, and hair removal...
We also find a fitness area with all the necessary machines, coaching services, and group classes included.
If you enjoy the place and spend time there, you can also dine, as a continuous service is available from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the restaurant area.
The facility includes meeting rooms for rent, perfect for conferences, seminars, or meetings, with capacities ranging from 40 to 467 people. The rental includes all necessary equipment, such as tables, chairs, microphones, and projectors.
- The Bellevue Park
It is an amusement park for the whole family, with rides, trampolines, pedal boats, slides, etc., offering a total of 29 activities to keep you entertained all day. The park has a designated picnic area and a snack bar.
The park opens in April, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with a break from the rides from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM and then from 6:30 PM.
From April 9 to 15, it will only be open on weekends and Wednesdays.
From April 15 to May 8, it will be open every day.
From May 9 to July 3, the park will only be open on weekends and Wednesdays.
From July 5 to August 31, it will reopen every day.
On September 3, 4, 10, and 11, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
- The Francophone Multimedia Library
The BFM offers several areas: adult, youth, press, work, reading, multimedia spaces, listening stations, and viewing areas with internet access. Regular activities include conferences, exhibitions of all kinds, movie screenings, etc.
You can access the library for free to work, read a book, or consult documents. However, to borrow a book, you must be registered, as well as to access certain services. Once registered, you can borrow up to 20 documents for 3 weeks.
- The Zenith of Limoges
Located in the northern zone of Limoges, the Zenith is a performance hall with a seating capacity of 4,542 and 6,851 standing places. It hosts concerts, as well as exhibitions, fairs, and sporting events. The parking area has 1,500 spaces, with additional parking nearby, and shuttle services are provided on concert days.
The Markets:
MARKETS - LIMOGES.fr
COVERED MARKETS
- The Central Market Halls of Limoges
These have been listed as historical monuments since 1976 and were renovated in 2019. There are now 32 merchants (butchers, fishmongers, pastry chefs, cheesemongers...) open from Tuesday to Wednesday (7 AM to 1 PM) and Thursday to Sunday (7 AM to 3 PM). Two restaurants with terraces are also available, and there's a space to enjoy the products you just bought. On certain Fridays, from spring to autumn, the halls open from 5 PM to 10 PM for the "Nocturne at the Halls," with tables and chairs set up for evening enjoyment, along with concerts to animate the night. (Place de la Motte)
- The Carnot Market Halls
With 9 merchants open from Tuesday to Thursday (7 AM to 1 PM) and Friday to Saturday (7 AM to 2 PM), mainly selling food products. (Place Sadi Carnot)
OUTDOOR MARKETS
- The Market at Place des Bancs from Tuesday to Saturday, 7 AM to 1 PM (food products only)
- The Market at Place des Carmes only on Saturdays, 7 AM to 1 PM (food products and fresh flowers)
Our Favorite Culinary Spots:
Traditional Restaurants in the center of Limoges:
- Le Bistrot d'Olivier (Central Market Halls of Limoges, Place de la Motte)
- Le Bistrot Gourmand (5 Place Winston Churchill)
- Au Relais Louis Blanc (29 Bis Boulevard Louis Blanc)
- Les Petits Ventres (20 Rue de la Boucherie)
- La Timbale (18 Rue Charles Michels)
Restaurants with Flavors from Elsewhere:
- Les Pouilles, Italian Restaurant (15 Rue Haute Vienne)
- Le Marrakech, Moroccan Restaurant (6 Rue Léonard Limosin)
- Le Kashmir, Indian Restaurant (18 Rue Montmailler)
- CHAM-FEL, Syrian Restaurant (34 Rue de la Boucherie)
- Grill-in, All-you-can-eat Restaurant (38 Avenue des Casseaux)
Restaurants in the Southern Zone:
- Le Provencal, French Restaurant (8 Avenue du Ponteix, 87220 FEYTIAT)
- Le Valentino, Pizzeria (8 Avenue de l’Abattoir)
- Restaurant l’Hélix, French Restaurant (14 Route de Toulouse)
- Restaurant Le Lanaud, Limousin Cuisine Restaurant by Chef Anne Prignitz Alassane (Winner of MasterChef season 1) (Pôle de Lanaud, 87220 BOISSEUIL)
Restaurants in the Northern Zone:
- Les Tables du Bistrot, Rustic Dishes Restaurant (7 Rue du Grand Theil)
- Déjeuner sur l’herbe, French Cuisine (112 Avenue de Brachaud)
- Memphis, Diner - American Restaurant (2 Rue Léon Serpollet)
Have a Coffee or Tea:
- La fabrique du café, Specializing in espresso drinks (7 Place d’Aine)
- La locale café, Café and grocery store (13 Rue de la Boucherie)
- Flaherty and Co, Roaster and Tea Shop (17 Rue Ferrerie)
- Maison de thé « L », Tea Room (9 Rue Cruche d’Or)
Grocery Stores in the City Center (or Near the City Center):
- Carrefour City (3 Place des Bancs; 36 Avenue Baudin; 5 Boulevard de Fleurus)
- Intermarché HYPER (Rue Bernart de Ventadour)
- Leclerc Express (26 Rue Wagner)
- Casino Supermarché (38 Avenue des Casseaux)
- Grand Frais (CENTER: 16 Avenue de Locarno; NORTH: 30 Rue Amédée Gordini; SOUTH: 156B Rue de Nexon)
- Super U (Avenue Émile Labussière; Rue du Mas Loubier; 14 Rue Georges Briquet)
Shopping Centers:
- Saint Martial with Bizbee, Blue Box, Bouygues, SFR, H&M, Go Sport, Mango, Normal... (39 Bis Avenue Garibaldi)
- Family Village with Alinéa, Boulanger, BUT, Cultura, Darty, Jour de Fête, Leroy Merlin... (30 Rue Amédée Gordini)
- Boisseuil Commercial Zone with Adopt, Nocibé, Orchestra, Kiabi, Action, Chaussea... (Boisseuil Commercial Zone 87220)