Limoges



Limoges is a city in France. Capital city of region Limousin, Limoges is the third biggest city of the Great South West (after Bordeaux and Toulouse).With 137 000 inhabitants, it ranks 24th among all french cities.

Geographically, it is 220 km far from Bordeaux, 290 km from Toulouse, 390 km from Paris and 100 km from Poitiers.

It is crossed by a river, the Vienne, the borders of which are really charming. Limoges is also known as "the ceramics capital" due to its expertise in the manufacturing of porcelain, but also to its craft industry in fields such as enamel, ceramic and stained-glass windows.

HISTORY OF LIMOGES
The city was founded in the 1st century before Christ. In those days, it was an important economic route.

Until the Middle Ages, Limoges was plagued by barbarian then frankish invasions. St Martial and St Eloi counted amongst the most charismatic characters of the city. In the Middle Ages, the city was very prosperous and became a large cultural centre in the world. However, it was divided in two parts : on one side, "La Cité", the working classes neighbourhood and on the other side, "Le Chateau" (The Castle). This division is still visible nowadays.

In the 18th century, Turgot gave a boost to the economy by textiles industry and porcelain activities.

In the 19th century, Limoges was nicknamed the "Red City" because of its frequent workers movements. In 1895, Limoges witnessed the birth of the CGT (one of the most famous French trade unions). The dynamic and activist freemasonry grew more and more among these workers movements and reached their peak in 1905.

During the Second World War, Limoges made a part free zone and admir Georges Guingouin by his act of getting free the town. He was the first maquis.

Today, Limoges keeps up this socialist spirit. All mayors were and are from the left wing.

More informations about the History of Limoges on the Limoges !

WHAT TO VISIT ?
More informations about the places to visit in Limoges on the Limoges and/or visit the Official Website of the City !

Getting Here ?
By Car There is one main axe and four secondary axes to come to Limoges.

The Main Axe: The highway A20 from Paris to Toulouse is the easiest way to arrive. Also, this highway is free between Tulle and Vierzon.

Secondary Axes : The main road from Angouleme is a dual carriageway for almost the whole distance. Coming from Poitiers can be a little boring and and the road is very winding. If you arrive from Perigueux, the time can be very long and the Clermont Ferrant's road (i know a little)) is very beautiful.

By Airport

Five companies fly from Limoges airport. Three are relatively expensive but you can arrive from anywhere and the other two companies are low cost airlines (Ryanair, Flybe) and some of the most interesting destinations are London, Glasgow and Brussels.

With the famous Ryanair you have just one flight every second day and with Flybe there are flights to Scotland daily.

Upon arrival, if you want to go the city centre by bus, you have to walk a little and go behind the airport and join the Avenue of Landouge and find a bus station (the church, if possible because it's easy to find). It's the number 16 bus (there are no buses on a Sunday) and you have to go in the direction of Winston Churchill.

By Train

Limoges has a beautiful railway station : "La gare des bénédictins". It's a historical monument dating from the beginning of 20th century. Look at the picture (<--) ! Limoges has another less important railway station (Gare des Charentes) and it's interesting if your are going to La Charente (Angouleme).

Free Internet/Wifi Access
There are a lot of wifi spots in the town : the railways station, the public libraries, the McDonald's restaurants.


 * BFM: The big library close to the city hall. You can bring your computer and connect to the internet. Inside, on Wednesday and Saturday you can also book a free computer.


 * University : All universities (four districts in Limoges) provide Wifi. You can set up your computer in the table outside and have internet. <--is this free though?-->


 * McDonalds : Through my knowledge, there are two McDonalds in Limoges. The fast food outlet Quick has more importance in Limoges. These two McDonalds are far from the town centre. One is in the Cora shopping centre (Line 10 with the bus) and the other is close to the stadium Beaublanc.


 * Teddy Beer: It's a bar in the town centre where you can consult free internet. You just have to pay for a coffee or a beer in the bar. The address is: 22, Rue Delescluze


 * Association Varlin Pont Neuf, Bourri-Multimedia - Adress: 32,rue de Fontbonne - Tel: 05 55 06 45 72
 * Association Culture et Patrimoine en Limousin - Adress: 6 rue François Chénieux - Tel: 05 55 10 90 44
 * Point-Libre - Adress: CRDP 39, rue Camille Guérin - Tel: 05 55 43 43 58
 * Centre Régional Information Jeunesse - Adress: 27, bd de la Corderie 87031 LIMOGES CEDEX - Tel: 05 55 45 18 70
 * Cafe l'Interval - Adress: Rue du Maréchal Juin, BP 1204 - Tel: 05 55 01 23 90
 * Bibliothèque francophone multimedia - Adress: 2 rue Louis Longequeue - Tel: 05 55 45 96 00
 * Boutique Club Emploi de Limoges - Adress: 16, place Jourdan - Tel: 05.55.45.15.90
 * Cyber-base Secours populaire - Adress: 6 rue Fulton ZI nord 87 280 Limoges - Tel: 05 55 04 20 00

COUCHSURFERS
There are about 100 Couchsurfers who live in Limoges and some others in the area. Feel free to contact them by finding them on the Couchsearch Page or by letting a post or a message on the City Group Limoges or on the Limousin CS Group (regional group).

Meetings
There is no CS meetings in Limoges for the moment, but check the City Group Limoges to see and be kept informed about what happen in the area.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY



 * Police Station: 17

Police station : 4 rue Jean Pierre Timbault, Tel: 05 55 45 4949

Commissariat : 84 av Emile Labussière, Tel: 05 55 14 31 70
 * Health Urgency:

Tel: 15 or 05 55 05 5555 or 05 55 14 3000
 * Hospital:

Tel: 05 55 05 55 55
 * Fireman Station:

Tel: 18 or 05 55 12 8000
 * Emergency Doctor:

Tel: 05 55 33 2000

LOCAL MEDIA MENTIONS


Limoges

INTERESTED LINKS</FONT>
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 * Regional CS Group: Limousin
 * City CS Group: Limoges


 * Limoges on Wikivoyage
 * Limoges on Hitchwiki
 * Limoges on Wikipedia