Limoges (Lemòtges / Limòtges in Occitan) is a city and commune in France, the préfecture of the Haute-Vienne département, and the administrative capital of the Limousin région. Population city: 137,502 (limougeauds), urban area: 247,944.
Limoges is known worldwide for its medieval enamels ('Limoges enamels') on copper, for its 19th century porcelain ('Limoges porcelain') and for its oak barrels (Limousin oak), which are used for Cognac production.
Ancient and medieval historyVery scarce remains of pre-urban settlements have been found in the area of Limoges. The capital of the Gaulish people of the Lemovices, who lived in the area, was probably situated some kilometers south-east of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat.
The city proper was founded as Augustoritum by the Romans, around the year 10 BC. The foundation was part of the reorganization of the province by the emperor Augustus, whence the new name. The Roman city included an amphitheater measuring 136 x 115 meters, a theater, a forum, baths and several sanctuaries. According to the tradition, a temple conscreated to Venus, Diana, Minerva and Jupiter was located near the modern cathedral. The city was on the typical Roman square plan, with two main streets crossing in the centre. It had a Senate and a currency of its own, a sign of its importance in the imperial age.
Limoges was evangelized by Saint Martial, who came in the city around 250 with two companions, Alpinianus and Austriclinienus. However, in the late 3rd century it was increasingly abandoned, due to the unsafe conditions created by the German invasions. The population concentrated instead on a more easily fortifiable site, the modern Puy Saint-Étienne, which is the centre of the modern Limoges. Starting from the construction of the Abbey of St. Martial (9th century), another settlement grew around the tomb of the saint, while a third area, next to the residence of the viscount (the future Castle of Saint Martial), seems to have been populated from the 10th century.
Starting from the 11th century, thanks to the presence of the Abbey of St. Martial and its large library, Limoges became a flourishing artistic centre. It also was the home to an important school of medieval music composition, which is usually called the St. Martial School; its most famous member was the 13th century troubadour Bertran de Born.
In the 13th century, at the peak of its splendour, central Limoges was constituted by two different fortified settlements.
Outside of the formers' lines of walls were the popular quarters.
In 1370, Limoges was occupied by Edward, the Black Prince, the heir to the English throne, who massacred some 3,000 residents.
Modern historyThe City and the Castle were united in 1792 to form a single city under the name of Limoges. During the French Revolution several religious edifices, considered symbols of the Ancient Regime, were destroyed by the population: these included the Abbey of St. Martial itself.
Some years later the porcelain industry started to develop, favoured by the presence of kaolinite in the area. Much of the inhabitants became employed in the new sector or in the connected activities (including the lumbering of wood needed for the cooking of the porcelain).
In the 19th century Limoges saw a strong construction activity, which however included the destruction and rebuilding of much of the city's centre, regarded as unhealthy and as a nest of prostitution. The unsafe conditions of the poorer population is highlighted by the outbreak of several riots, including that of July-November 1830, of the April 1848 and the early 1905. The first French confederation of workers, Confédération Générale du Travail (CGT), was created in Limoges in 1895.
Main sightsIn 1771 kaolin, a rock rich in fine, white clay which is used for making porcelain, was discovered at Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, near Limoges.
Under the impetus of the progressive economist Anne Robert Jacques Turgot, Baron de Laune, who had been appointed intendant of this impoverished and isolated region, a new ceramics industry was developed, and Limoges porcelain became famous during the 19th century. However, Limoges porcelain is a generic term for porcelain produced in Limoges rather than at a specific factory
MiscellaneousLimoges was the birthplace of:
