Limoges is a city steeped in culture and history. One of the best ways in which to discover the heritage of this, the capital of Limousin, is through the various museums located in the area.
The Municipal Museum l'Eveche is an attraction of great interest, situated behind the 13th century gothic cathedral of St. Etienne. This museum hosts an array of historic artefacts, including Romanesque tombs and old manuscripts of ancient Celtic writing. The museum itself is an old bishop's palace, and displays some fine canvasses created by Auguste Renoir, a previous resident of the town. Examples of early metal, stone and carpentry work can also be found within the museum's walls, with tours and exhibitions running all year round. The Municipal also offers free admission.
Another of the city's most famous landmarks is the Adrian Dubouche National Museum, situated at 'Place Winston Churchill'. Created in 1845, this museum represents the epitome of the Limousine region: the once-thriving ceramics industry. This building houses the largest ceramics collection in Europe, with Adrian Dubouche himself donating 4,000 pieces to the museum. There are workshops available, as well as the standard guided tours, if a more hands-on experience is required. Faience, porcelain, pottery and earthenware are the four types of local produce here, contrasting nicely with the rare Egyptian art that is on display. There is free entry to the Adrian Dubouche museum from January 2nd until June 30th, and 4 Euros every other day.
Continuing with the porcelain theme, the 'Pavilion de la Porcelaine' hosts designs and ceramic works from artists such as Dali and Gauguin. Many of the originals remain at the museum, and video screenings run daily to show the whole process, right from initial design to finished product. The museum and workspace were opened in 1843 and are located on Avenue du President Kennedy. All in all, over 200 hundred pieces can be found in the museum.
For visitors who enjoy a tipple, the distillery in is on hand, where, amongst others, rum and cognac are produced. The distillery is the last of its kind to still be operating and the museum itself will show an insight into the whole process, complete with samples for those who want to whet their whistle.
The Museum of the Resistance and Deportation can be found at 'Place de la Cathedrale' and depicts the French resistance against Nazi control in the 1940's. Photos, documents and maps show visitors how events unfolded during the Second World War. The true extent of the death and destruction caused can be seen here, but also documented is the work and spirit that went in to the French resistance in combating Nazi occupation.
Situated just outside of central Limoges are the ruins of Oradour-Sur-Glane, which was devastated by the Nazi attack. This village works as a living, breathing museum in its own right, with abandoned cars and wrecked buildings around every corner. An official museum (named 'The Tomb') is located near-by, displaying various articles, such as weapons left behind by the invaders. There is also a memorial dedicated to the villagers who lost their lives in the slaughter.