Stroll through Limoges's historical Butchers' quarters and discover the neighbourhood's astonishing history and numerous half-timbered houses.
Follow Place de la Motte’s evolution in the heart of Limoges, from the creation of its feudal motte to the construction of its large covered market.
Limoges’s covered market is a local gourmet hotspot. Notice its remarkable Eiffel-inspired architecture and learn about how it was built.
Welcome to the Butchers’ Quarters ! This used to be an interior courtyard where livestock was kept before being butchered.
In your opinion what used to stand here, instead of this buildings, until the 17th century ?
Sorry but this is incorrect ! This buildings are built along the Boulevard Gambetta in the location of the former city ramparts. The destruction of the ramparts has been ordered by Turgot, bursar of Limousin during the 17th century.
Congratulations ! This buildings are built along the Boulevard Gambetta in the location of the former city ramparts. The destruction of the ramparts has been ordered by Turgot, bursar of Limousin during the 17th century.
Sorry but this is incorrect ! This buildings are built along the Boulevard Gambetta in the location of the former city ramparts. The destruction of the ramparts has been ordered by Turgot, bursar of Limousin during the 17th century.
Limoges’s active and prosperous Butchers’ Fraternity left its mark in the city. Observe the traces of its members’ devotion through the numerous statues and the private chapel that was built.
Observe and decipher the visible representations that can be found on the facade of Saint-Aurélien chapel and its limestone cross.
Inside Saint-Aurélien chapel, many items show the religious traditions of St Aurélien fraternity. One of these traditions called “Ostensions” is a ceremony in which the fraternity takes part every 7 years.
The numerous timber frame house facades give the neighbourhood its charm and attract many visitors. If you would like to learn more about how they were built, be sure to watch this video.
Place des Bancs has been a popular retail spot since the 13th century. For many centuries, this is where butchers used to slaughter livestock and sell their meat products.
The butcher shops used to be located along rue de la Boucherie. Notice what is left of the shop fronts and imagine how lively this main street used to be, thanks to archive photographs.
In 1913, a filmmaker set his camera up on place St Aurélien and filmed rue de la Boucherie. Take a trip back in time, 100 years ago, with this excerpt that will enable you to see things through the cameraman’s eyes.
Imagine the lives of Limoges’s butchers by observing how their houses were organized. Every room except for the bedrooms was linked to the butchers’ profession.
Watch Mr Brun in action. He strives to perpetuate the old-fashioned know-how of butchers in his lab, in rue de la Boucherie.
Follow the steps of this neighbourhood’s revival. After a long decline it was rehabilitated and came to life again, particularly thanks to the « Frairie des petits ventres » annual food fair.
Look at the sculpture. What is young Jesus holding in his hand ?
Congratulations ! This sculpture, called « Virgin with kidney » represents Saint Anne, Virgin Mary and young Jesus holding a kidney in his hand. According to tradition, female butchers would offer a piece of kidney (as a treat!) to children accompanying their mothers to the butcher shop. The original sculpture can be found in Saint Aurélien chapel and dates back to the early 15th century.
Sorry, but that is incorrect! This sculpture, called « Virgin with kidney » represents Saint Anne, Virgin Mary and you
Sorry, but that is incorrect! This sculpture, called « Virgin with kidney » represents Saint Anne, Virgin Mary and you
