London Stansted to Limoges Airport
Limoges is capital of the Limousin region of France situated on the banks of the River Vienne. The city is famous around the world for its fine porcelain, but it also has plenty to see and do. Limoges has some ancient buildings, especially in the old quarter of La Cite, and there is also a wide range of museums and art galleries.
Flights between London Stansted and Limoges-Bellegarde Airport are operated by Ryanair. The airport is 10km (6 miles) from Limoges city centre. Unfortunately there is no bus service between the airport and the centre, altough there are always plenty of taxis outside the main terminal. The taxi fare to Limoges city centre is around 17 euros.
Places of interest in Limoges include:
- Haviland Museum. The American David Haviland built a factory here in 1842 producing fine quality china, much of it exported to the United States. At the factory, 3km (2 miles) from the town centre but accesible by bus from the Hotel Ville, you can look at the work that goes into producing the porcelain and visit the museum showcasing some of their masterpieces. Ou can also buy the products from the shop at factory prices.
- St Etienne Cathedral. The construction of Limoges’ only Gothic building was started in 1273 and took 600 years to fully complete. Inside you can admire the fine stained glass windows and its enormous vaults and pillars.
- Rue de la Boucherie. This area of Limoges, with its pretty medieval houses and narrow streets, is where the town’s butchers lived and worked from the 10th century. Butchers had an important role in the city, especially during the Middle Ages, and their legacy lives on – there is both a museum and chapel in Limoges dedicated to the butchers and their trade.
- Eveche Botanical Gardens. On the banks of the River Vienne surrounding the cathedral are these fine botanical gardens which is the perfect place to relax. Within the gardens is a botanical museum.
- Musee National Adrien Dubouche. With over 10,000 exhibits from around the world, making it the largest collection of ceramics in Europe, this museum is a must for any visitor to Limoges. There are also many examples of glass and enamel pieces. Founded in 1845, the museum is named after its first curator who donated many pieces to the collection in the 19th century.
- Gare des Benedictins. Railway stations might not sound very exciting but this one, built at the beginning of the 19th century, is an impressive structure. The station boasts an impressive slate dome, stained glass windows featuring symbols of Limousin, and engraving in copper and glass. The station takes its name from the former Benedictine convent on which it was built.
- Musée Municipal de l’Evêché. Next to the cathedral housed in a bishop’s palace from the 18th century, this museum has a large collection of enamelware from the 12th century onwards as well as some Egyptian art. There are also five paintings by the great Limoges-born Renoir amongst its collection os 19th century paintings.
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