Limoges, France
- Location: Limoges, a crossroads on the riverside of the Vienne, is a
commercial and industrial center located in the Limousin region of
central France. Located in the center of a beautiful agricultural
district, with original settlements that date back to Roman times, the
city is known for its fine porcelain and painted enamelware, cultural
activities and botanical gardens.
- Population: The City of Limoges has a population of 200,000 and is
the 22nd largest city in France. The entire region surrounding Limoges,
known as Limousin, has a population of approximately 750,000 people.
- Accessibility: Limoges is easily accessible by air, rail or road.
Limoges is located in the south-central France, 229 miles southwest of
Paris and 138 miles east of Bordeaux, midway between Barcelona and the
Eurotunnel.
- Economy: Limoges is best known for its porcelain, and its fine
china developed in the 18th century out of enamel work which began in
the Middle Ages. The city and region also are known for electronics,
ceramics, paper, leather and beef cattle.
- Education: Limoges, the home of the first library in a
French-speaking country, has a major university and over 90 research
laboratories.
The University of Limoges, a comprehensive university with 15,000
students offers courses in the humanities, arts, sciences, law and
business, medicine and pharmacy, education, and engineering, as well as
French courses for non-French speakers.
- Attractions: Limoges, which recently celebrated its 2,000th
anniversary, is the homeland of the troubadours of old. The city has a
rich cultural history with many museums, symphonies, and theaters that
produce over 600 cultural events annually.
The Museum Adrien Debouche possesses an extensive collection of
porcelain.
The people of the Limousin area are basketball enthusiasts who support
the Limoges C.S.P. six-time champion basketball team, considered one of
the best in Europe. Sports in general are highly popular in Limoges
and the University at Limoges is home to the Center for Sports Law and
Economics, the only one in the world.