Limoges Hotels

History

Originally founded as Augustoritum by the Romans around 10 BC, Limoges has an exceptionally long history as a human settlement. The original city included an amphitheatre, a temple, forum, baths and a theatre. With the construction of the Abbey of St. Martial in the 9th century, the area began to prosper once again and developed into one of France's leading centres for artistry.

The Abbey itself has been razed but the 10th-century Crypt of Saint Martial is well worth a visit during your stay. Similarly, much of the Roman structures have been destroyed throughout history. The Gallo-Roman amphitheatre is one of the surviving traces and is a great place to get a glimpse into Limoges' ancient past.

Another important historical building is Limoges Cathedral – a fantastic example of Gothic architecture. Construction on the cathedral began in 1273 and finished only in 1888. If you go inside the cathedral make sure you see the Renaissance rood screen and the tomb of the bishop Jean de Langeac. For more historical insight, the Fine Arts Museum of Limoges has a brilliant collection of medieval, Renaissance and Modernism artworks while the Museum of the Resistance details the history of the French resistance in the Second World War.

Art

Limoges is synonymous with Limoges Porcelain and there are a number of excellent places to learn about the area's craft heritage. Porcelain Royal Limoges is a factory dating from 1797 and offers guided tours of the building. Limoges also has a legacy of enamelling and the Enamel House is dedicated to this art form. As well as training courses and talks, the Enamel House also has an interesting exhibition area. Both porcelain and enamel can be seen amongst the collections of the Fine Arts Museum of Limoges.

Gardens

There are plenty of outdoor spaces in Limoges, and if you're lucky with the weather you'll definitely want to explore the city's many public parks and gardens. The Victor Thuillat Park has a playground for kids and a bowling green, while the city's botanical garden features over 5,000 rose bushes. The River Vienne runs through the city and is a perfect place for romantic strolls past two striking 13th-century medieval bridges, the Saint-Etienne bridge and Saint-Martial bridge.