Limoges is a city and commune. Situated on the first western foothills of the Massif Central, Limoges is crossed by the Vienne River, of which it was originally the first ford crossing point.

Modern history

The porcelain industry started to develop, favoured by the presence of kaolinite which was discovered near Limoges. Many of the inhabitants became employed in the new sector or in connected activities (including the lumbering of wood needed for firing the porcelain) in manufacture and exporting needed for European distribution of Limoges Boxes, dinnerware, and other porcelain wares. Because the Limousin region has had a long history of breeding (Baronet sheep and Limousine cows), the leather industry also settled in and around Limoges along the banks of the Vienne–the river providing the necessary water and power. Factories in Limoges and St Junien still produce luxury leather shoes, gloves, and bags.

In early 1905 strikes began in another local industry, shoe factories soon followed in the porcelain factories. Barricades were built, the army intervened. There would be two casualties: a horse and a young porcelain worker, Camille Vardelle.

Sports

The city is one of France’s basketball capitals. The Palais des Sports de Beaublanc, has been host for international basketball events such as the EuroBasket 1983 and serves as home court for the professional team CSP Limoges (Cercle St Pierre).

Limoges Hand 87 is a French handball team based in Limoges, France, which is currently playing in the Division 2 of Ligue Nationale de Handball.

Limoges FC is the major city football team, currently playing in Championnat National 3 (Group A). Their home games are played at Stade St. Lazare. Limoges played in Division 1 from 1958 to 1961.

USA Limoges is an amateur rugby union club, based in Limoges. Currently competing in Fédérale 1, the top level of the French amateur rugby pyramid and one level below the professional leagues.

Climate

Limoges experiences an oceanic climate common to much of Western France. On average, the city undergoes 41 days of frost and seven days of snow each winter. In June, July and August, precipitation tends to come only from violent thunderstorms coming from the Bay of Biscay.

Main sights

• The Crypt of Saint Martial
• Remains of the Gallo-Roman amphitheatre
• The Gothic Limoges Cathedral 
• The Chapelle Saint-Aurélien 
• The church of St-Pierre-du-Queyroix
• Church of St-Michel-des-Lions
• The bridges of Saint Martial
• The Limoges Fine Arts Museum
• The railway station, Gare de Limoges Bénédictins

Art and literature

Under the impetus of the progressive economist Anne Robert Jacques Turgot, Baron de Laune, a new ceramics industry was developed, and Limoges porcelain became famous during the 19th century. However, Limoges porcelain is a generic term for porcelain produced in Limoges rather than at a specific factoryMore than 50% of all porcelain made in France comes from Limoges

Transport

The main railway station of Limoges is the Gare de Limoges-Bénédictins. It offers direct connections with Paris, and Toulouse, and several regional destinations. The nearest airport is Limoges – Bellegarde Airport.

The Limoges urban bus network includes the Limoges trolleybus system, one of only four such systems currently operating in France.