Limoges, capital of porcelain

The name of Limoges is associated throughout the world with porcelain. The discovery in 1768 in Saint-Yrieix near Limoges of a kaolin deposit is at the origin of the first hard porcelains manufactured in France. This clay makes it possible to obtain a quality of porcelain, white and fine, as remarkable as that of Chinese porcelains. The first factory was created in Limoges in 1771.

Discover porcelain in Limoges:

- The Adrien Dubouché National Porcelain Museum

- Cité de la Céramique: in the centre of Limoges, it reopened to the public at the end of June 2012 after a major architectural and museographic renovation project. Presents the richest public collection of Limoges porcelain. Traces the history of ceramics since Antiquity as well as manufacturing techniques.

- The old Casseaux porcelain oven: close to the Saint-Etienne bridge, it is one of the rare examples of the 130 ovens once installed in Limoges and the only one that can be visited. A very beautiful industrial building made of iron-ringed bricks built in 1904 by the Alluaud factory. Open from Monday to Saturday except public holidays and also on Sundays from June to the end of September.

- The Porcelain Pavilion, Haviland company museum in Limoges is open from Monday to Saturday.

- The Bernardaud Factory, built in Limoges in 1863, the circuit which presents the different stages of manufacturing and decoration is animated by demonstrations. Every summer, the Bernardaud Foundation offers a major exhibition on ceramics. Open from Tuesday to Friday and also on Saturdays from June 1 to September 30, as well as on public holidays except Sundays. Around Limoges

- The Palloux museum in Saint-Yrieix: houses a collection of 2000 pieces of porcelain.

- The Médard de Noblat Museum: in the Boisseuil commercial area, it traces 170 years of porcelain creation and presents unique works by contemporary designers. Open every day, even on Sundays.

Limoges arts of fire: stained glass and enamel

Enamel has been a skill of Limoges artisans since the 11th century. Discover:

- Through the centuries with the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts at the Palais l'Evêché.

- For contemporary enamelers: in the exhibition spaces of the Maison de l'émail and in the galleries on Boulevard Louis Blanc.

The stained glass window:

- Gothic stained glass windows from the Middle Ages of Saint-Étienne Cathedral and the churches of Saint-Michel-des-Lions and Saint-Pierre-du-Queyroix;

- 19th century Art Nouveau or Art Deco stained glass windows: Pavillon du Verdurier, Gare des Bénédictins, Sacré-Coeur church.

- The Stained Glass Workshop, a thriving cooperative society, is today perpetuating this know-how, particularly in the context of restoration work.

Limoges: old town and heritage

Among the must-sees:

- Limoges Cathedral, the construction of which took place over 8 centuries, its Saint-Jean portal and the statues of the six virtues which represent mythological scenes including the famous labors of Hercules.

- The Gare des Bénédictins de Limoges is also one of the city's must-see monuments.

- The medieval half-timbered houses of the old town.

Limoges high-tech: ESTER technology park

An important urban hub, the first in the Centre-West, Limoges capitalises on its historical expertise in the field of ceramics. In addition to artisans, major porcelain makers and luxury manufacturers, Limoges is home to the European centre of ceramics.

The region is also focusing on research and innovation in this sector with the labelling of its European ceramics competitiveness cluster. ESTER: the Limoges technology park brings together on a single site more than 150 players from industry, research and training and develops skills, in addition to ceramics, in the fields of materials, biotechnologies and health, water and the environment, engineering, electronics and telecommunications.

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