Tips for Limoges mini-bus and coach tourism

Useful tips for Limoges bus groups with ‘what to see’ and ‘what to do’ items and  ‘bus- friendly’ or must see tourist sites in Limoges. Check our list of attractions before planning your bus tour with a stop or departure in Limoges. Let us know if your favourite attraction or ‘bus-stop’ is not there and you think we should add it to our list of Limoges highlights.

What to see and visit in the province of Limousin?

If you would like to rent a bus for a tour in Limoges, we recommend you to stop at the following sights:

19 seater tourist minibus from NORMANDIE CAR SERVICE

 Corrèze

Are you a lover of culture, nature and authenticity? Then you should definitely go to the south of the province here is the Corrèze department. This district has numerous green plains with several hiking possibilities. The best hiking area is L"Yssandonnais. Corrèze is located in the southern area and known as "The southern gate to the Perigord and Aquitaine". Tulle, Brive and Ussel among the three districts of the region, of this Tulle is the capital. Besides the many green, Corrèze has a number of beautiful villages and towns, of which moreover six are part of the "Plus beau village de France", although the "most beautiful villages of France ". The villages that fall under this label are recognized: Collonges-la-Rouge, Curemonte, Saint Robert, Segur-le-Chateau, Treignac and Turenne.

Collonges-la-Rouge 3 credit: Tony Hisgett CC BY 2.0

Creuse

This department has its name from the eponymous river Creuse. Beside the river Creuse, there are another three rivers that traverse the area: the Taurion, Gartempe and Petite Creuse. As the department of Corrèze, Creuse is a very green and quiet area. Creuse has multiple platforms (this is a fairly flat, elevated area), but Millevaches is certainly the most beautiful of all. To experience a great nature adventure, are you with the many forests, lakes and rivers in Creuse in the right place.

Crozant (Creuse). credit: Daniel Jolivet CC BY 2.0

Haute Vienne

To the west of Limousin lies the Haute-Vienne. About 30% of the area consists of green and forests. The population density is relatively low. Despite this fact, the region has plenty of nice villages. In addition, here is the capital of Limousin located: Limoges. Yet Haute-Vienne is an oasis of calm and peace. Unlike Limousin and Creuse, Haute-Vienne is also an area of agriculture and animal husbandry. In the meadows of this area graze the famous Limousin cows, whose the delicious famous Limousin beef comes from.

With more than 136.000 inhabitants Limoges is not only the capital of Limoges, it is also the main town of the region. The city serves as the economic hub of the region is known for its excellent footwear production, and not to mention, it is the capital of porcelain. Limoges porcelain is world known and is known for its superb quality.

Each area, city and village in the region is characterized by its own personality. The main cities in Limousin:

Eymoutiers, Haute-Vienne, Limousin, France credit: Patrick Nouhailler CC BY-SA 2.0

The town of Saint Junien is located in the cattle-breeding region Haute-Vienne. Because of the cattle-breeding this city is rich in resources, such as goats and sheep skins. There is therefore a great advantage of it. The city is famous for its major luxury producers which are located, such as Hermès, the glove manufacturer of Saint-Junien.

Tulle is a pleasant industrial city, which serves as the administrative center. She is best known for the development of the factory system and the industrial arts. Tulle was not for nothing once the capital of the production of textiles, called "tulle". The town takes owe its name here therefore.

Aubusson and Felletin are both world-famous because of the tapestry art. Aubusson is the capital of tapestry, here is situated the only real tapestry. Felletin is the city where is located the record for the largest woven carpet ever.

Aubusson, Creuse, Limousin, France credit: Patrick Nouhailler CC BY-SA 2.0

Brive-la-Gaillarde, Brive, or "The wide entrance of the South", this comprehensive city is to write home about. It is a beautiful place for walks, visiting churches or canoe trips. Brive has a wonderful atmosphere; especially the old town is very cosy. Recommendations are: the small streets with many small shops and the Saturday market.

Guéret is known for its greenery and friendly atmosphere. The city is a great combination of nature and contemporary architecture, truly a wonderful city to relax. Visit one of the many gourmet restaurants or typical pubs. You will be received friendly and harmonious.

 Do you come by plane?

Then the airport of the capital of Limoges will be your destination. Limoges-Bellegarde (LIG), also known as Limoges International Airport, is located in the department of Haute-Vienne. 6 km (3.72 miles) away is the city of Limoges. From the airport you can rent a car or take a taxi to go to your final destination. 

Our hotel in St Junien credit: Graeme Churchard CC BY 2.0

Business tourism

Are you visiting the area for business purpose, you may need some help in finding the right location for your conference or event? The Tourist Office (L"Office de Tourisme) Limousin stimulates the conference tourism in the region. It is the ideal help for finding a suitable location for your event. You can find the organization in the city of Limoges.

town hall by day, Limoges credit: ollie harridge CC BY 2.0

Limoges, located in the department of Haute-Vienne and the capital of the Limousin region. Limoges is situated on the River Vienne. It is also the city of the porcelain. It is a beautiful city to visit. When you visit this wonderful city you can not miss the main attractions of Limoges: Limoges Cathedral, Les Jardins de L"Evêché, the station of Les Benedictines, La Maison de la Boucherie, Adrien Dubouché National Porcelain Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts of Limoges.

La gare des Bénédictins credit: Poudou99 CC BY-SA 3.0

Hiking Tours

The Tourist Office of Limoges offers several guided hikes. For example, walking tours through the historic neighbourhoods, along the monuments and sights. There is something for everyone. Each walking tour has a guide who tells you nice stories, facts and background information about the sights. If there is not any tour which took your interest, then the customer service at your disposal to assist you to determine an individual program. What more could you want? Wait no longer and join a walking tour of this beautiful city.

Jeanne d"Arc statue credit: Matt Brown CC BY 2.0

 GPS navigation tours

Explore Limoges in a completely different way? The Committee of Regional Tourism Limousin has come with a new tourist activity: Terra Aventura, geocaching in Limousin. Playfully you get to know Limoges better. The activity is dominated by the search for a treasure. The treasure consists of several objects. The search is done with the aid of a GPS navigator. The Tourist Office of Limoges offers two of these tours.

Quartier des ponts à Limoges credit: Tiston CC BY-SA3.0 

Limoges Cathedral

• A point of interest, which is absolutely worth a visit, is the "Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Limoges", either the cathedral of Limoges. It is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the center of town on the Place de Saint Etienne. This Gothic building has a magnificent interior decorated in the Renaissance style. The building is known as one of the most beautiful ribbed cathedrals of southern France and a visit will surely be remembered beautifully. 

Limoges Cathedral from the Botanic Garden credit: Graeme Churchard CC BY 2.0

Les Jardins de L"Evêché

• On the Rue de la Cathédrale, behind the cathedral you can find botanical gardens of Limoges, which cover at least 5 hectares. There are built six terraces on the slope of Puy Saint Etienne, near to the river Vienne. There is a formal garden, botanical garden and an ecological garden. The gardens have many kinds of plants in all shapes and sizes, from grasses to ferns and medicinal plants. Hikers can go on discovery or relax on one of the terraces with a great view of the river Vienne.

Les jardins de l"évêché de Castres situés devant l"ancien palais de l"évêché. credit: P. Danilo Royet CC BY-SA 3.0

 The railway station of Les Bénédictins

• Tell your coach driver to stop here for sure. One of the most famous monuments of the city is the train station. It has a freestanding bell tower, the building looks like a sort of lighthouse. This is mainly due to the copper dome. This authentic Art Deco artwork is located at the Orléans-Montauban railway

Gare des Bénédictins credit: Tredok CC BY-SA 2.0

La Maison de la Boucherie 

• Your group will love this! In a picturesque neighbourhood you can find this former butcher house, the traditional building, which descended from the 19th century, is situated in the Rue de la Boucherie. Today it is a museum where you can taste the atmosphere of a real butcher family from the 19th century. There is a shop with a butcher"s bench, the meat hooks and a slaughter room. It is a very impressive city sight.

The Adrien Dubouché National Porcelain Museum

• During a stay in Limoges, you certainly have to visit this museum. The capital city of porcelain, as Limoges is also called, owns a museum where thousands of porcelain products on display are exhibited. The name comes from the former manager Adrien Dubouché. A tour is also recommended, as this will be a good ability to let you inform about the porcelain, it gives you insight into the history, the art and the production of various kinds of ceramics from different countries. The collection of all the porcelain is a fascinating point of interest.

Covered Bowl and Stand credit: Ashley Van Haeften CC BY 2.0

The Fine Arts Museum of Limoges   

• Make sure your group gets a qualified tour guide who know the ins and out of this museum. The combination of the exhibited art and the beautiful building itself makes this sight just as interesting. Brothers Brouwer founded this former episcopal palace, which in itself is worth a visit. The museum has a collection of world-famous and unique, impressionist paintings and objects from the history of Limoges, such as enamel artworks. Send the driver of the bus off for a free afternoon. This museum needs time.

Click here to read more about trips and routes in the city of Limoges and in the province of Limousin