Limoges, Prefecture city in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Limoges is a prefecture city in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of central France, spreading along the banks of the Vienne River. The medieval quarters show narrow lanes with Gothic architecture, while the Saint-Etienne Cathedral rises above the center with its tall bell tower.
The settlement began around 10 BCE as a Roman outpost called Augustoritum and grew into an important trading hub. During the Middle Ages, it expanded through the Abbey of Saint-Martial into a religious center that drew pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela.
The tradition of porcelain making still shapes daily life, with workshops where visitors can watch craftsmen paint and fire delicate pieces by hand. Local markets sell both fresh regional produce and ceramic ware that residents actually use at home every day.
The railway station connects directly to Paris, Toulouse, and other major French cities through regular high-speed services. The historic center is easy to explore on foot, while public buses reach the neighborhoods further out.
The Boucherie district preserves its original timber buildings from the 14th century, where butcher families practiced their trade across generations. Some of these old houses still show the wooden hooks on their facades where meat once hung to dry.
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