History
It is as if time had stood still. That is the feeling you might get in the many small villages. The image that you know from romantic French films, with people carrying a stick of bread under their arm and a dreamy village square where local have a game of French bowls (locally known as Pétanque).
The region bears its name from its 2,000 year-old capital Limoges. Limoges is known for its porcelain. You will also find many shops and porcelain factories. As for the gothic cathedral, town hall, train station, various museums and 12th century bridge over the Vienne, they are all worth a visit. Alternatively, you may want to take a stroll down the many small winding streets of the city.
On the western part of the Limousin, a succession of several castles and fortresses makes up the “Route Richard Coeur de Lion (Richard the Lionheart road). You can often visit these castles with a tour guide because they all have their own special history. In addition, you will find many beautiful churches and cathedrals in the Limousin. Whilst the castles are often related to the French royal family, the churches and cathedrals are more from the Romanesque period.
Remnants of a more recent history can be found in Oradour-sur-Glane. Indeed, this village was burned down by the Germans towards the end of World War 2, on June 10th, 1944. The village has been kept in the same state since that terrible day, therefore it is a very impressive monument. You can walk around the village and get a very good idea of what really happened there.
