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Six of “France’s Prettiest villages” are located in Limousin. Discover their history, their inhabitants and their culture. Stroll down our picturesque lanes, relax in the shade of one of our region’s centennial trees, sit on the terrace of one of our cafés, take time to visit a few of Limousin’s many villages and discover the gentle pleasures of life here. Limousin : where the air is pure and where life is sweet!
There is something for everyone. The bustling cities to the tranquil villages.
Limoges
Designated a “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire” (“City of Art and History”), the capital city of Limousin has a rich cultural heritage. The Cathédrale Saint-Etienne is the most important monument in Limoges and its only Gothic building. Begun in 1273, the cathedral continued to be renovated throughout the centuries. Behind the cathedral are the Jardins de l’Evêché (Gardens of the Bishop), and to the east is the eight-arched Pont Saint-Etienne bridge built in the 13th century. Visitors should also stroll through the city’s historic quarters along the Rue de la Boucherie and the Rue du Temple to soak up the city’s old-world ambience.
Mairie de Limoges
Limoges, the capital of Limousin, is internationally renowned for its porcelain and has just been awarded recognition as “Town of Art and History”. Visit its parks which are among France’s finest, its monuments : The Bénédictins train station, Town Hall, the Adrien-Dubouché Museum, the cathedral, to name a few. Stroll through Limoges’s old quarters, the Rue de la Boucherie , Rue du Temple, Rue du Rajat … At the heart of the city, discover its huge covered market or wander along the Vienne riverside.
You will discover that Limoges is also a city turned toward the future with its Aquapolis swimming pool complex, Zénith concert hall, Ester Technopole site, and dynamic economic activities that make it an attractive and modern town (porcelain, enamel, shoe-making, electric equipment, as well as its university, hospital and numerous businesses…).
Web : www.limoges-tourisme.com
Gants Agnelle
Saint-Junien is the second largest town in Haute-Vienne. It is located on the Haut-Limousin road, and is a gateway town to the “Périgord-Limousin” Regional Nature Park. Saint-Junien is proud to belong to the land of Occitan and to be part of the history of the troubadours.
From the banks of the Vienne river to those of the Glane, Saint-Junien ‘s interesting architecture includes the 12th century Romanesque Collegiate Church. Industrial activity is present too, with glove-manufacturers (Agnelle, Georges Morand and the Ganterie de Saint-Junien (Hermès), tanners, and papermakers who brought their skills into the XXIst century. The workers’ tradition which made Saint-Junien a powerful symbol of the mutualist, co-operative and union movement has made the town proud and dynamic today.
Saint-Junien offers many places where visitors can relax. The natural Corot site (where famous artist Camille Corot used to paint), along the Glane river is an ideal spot for hiking or for a Sunday stroll. The Vienne river banks invite you to sit back and daydream. Saint Junien also has a Cultural centre and a recreational swimming pool.
Web : www.saint-junien-tourisme.fr
Maison de Loyac
Tulle is the capital of lace (the famous lace called poinct de tulle ), arms (with its weapon museum)and accordions (the renowned Maugein accordion factory is located here).
Accordion has become one of the town’s passions. An accordion festival Nuits de nacre,was created 20 years ago and still takes place yearly.
The André Mazeyrie Cloister Museum displays religious and historical artifacts.
In 2008, Tulle was awarded the title of “France’s firts sports town” by the sports magazine “L’Equipe”. Take part in all types of sports here : pétanque, skate-boarding, rugby, kayaking, horseback riding, cycling… Tulle also has an aqua-recreational centre.
Web : www.tulle-coeur-correze.com
Marché halle Georges Brassens
Brive-la-Gaillarde is Limousin’s gateway to the south of France. The city has always been a bit of an exception : its bourgeois homes, its historical centre, its food, its markets, its Orchestrades music festival, its rugby team (the CAB, 1997 European Cup champions)… all contribute to making this town special.
Web : www.tourismecorreze.com
Guéret is built around Bonnyaud Square where lively markets take place on Thursdays and Saturdays. Visit the Sénatorerie Art and Archaeology Museum dedicated to tapestry, goldsmithing, enamel, archaeology and paintings.
You will find several of Limousin’s loveliest typical houses here? The Ferdinand-Villard garden is worth a detour for its conifers (several hundred year old sequoias and Atlas cedars). Enjoy a drink and live music in one of Guéret’s typical cafés. Don’t forget to visit the Courtille lake with its beaches and activities : swimming, sailing, mini-golf, skate park, fishing, the Chabrières wolf park, Gigantic maze (the world’s largest natural maze), cycling and mountain-biking centre and its 546 km (340 miles) of hiking trails.
Web : www.ot-gueret.fr
Aubusson and Felletin, have something in common: they are tapestry towns. Felletin has the world record for the largest tapestry ever weaved (22m x 12m / 72ft x 39ft), displayed at the Coventry Cathedral in England. Aubusson is known as the world’s tapestry capital. Each year, its museumattracts thousands of visitors.
Visit both towns and admire their bourgeois houses, city centres with their typical creusois architecture.
Felletin is home to the “Builder’s trade School”, perpetuating the tradition of Creuse’s masons.
In the summertime, numerous events take place in the area: a dance and music festival , a bread festival in Néoux, tours of the “La Felletinoise” diamond coop and of the Pinton weaving factory…
Tour Zizim
Bourganeuf was founded in the Middle Ages by the St John of Jerusalem Hospitallers, a religious and military order. From the 12th century until the 1799 Revolution, knights lived in Bourganeuf, which became a prosperous town with a rich historical heritage. The Zizim Tower was built between 1484 and 1486 to imprison the Turkish prince Zizim. It is a round tower with seven vaulted levels and its walls are 2.80 metres (9′-2) thick.
Visit the Electricity museum : Bourganeuf was France’s 3rd village to have electricity (1886) and the first town in France where electricity was transported over a long distance (14 km / 8.7 miles).
Web : www.tourisme-creuse.com
Saint-Léonard de Noblat is a medieval town on the Santiago de Compostela trail. Its imposing Romanesque church is a labelled Historic Monument and is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Visit the town’s railway museum and its restored paper mill.
St Léonard is also the hometown of famous physicist Gay-Lussac as well as the renowned cyclist, Raymond Poulidor.
Web : www.otsi-noblat.fr
