Musée des Beaux-Arts de Limoges

About the museum

In 1912 the City of Limoges opened a scientific and archaeological museum dedicated to the Limousin region, housed in the former episcopal palace of the Cité. This listed building, erected from 1766 to 1773 by Joseph Brousseau for Bishop Louis-Charles Duplessis d’Argentré, overlooks the Vienne valley with its terraced gardens. Over the decades the museum took on the identity of a fine arts museum.

Between 2006 and 2010 the city renovated the old buildings and built modern extensions. The museum now presents four major collections. The enamel collection, with more than 600 pieces, illustrates Limousin production from the Middle Ages to the present day. The collection of Egyptian antiquities comprises around 2,000 pieces, donated by the industrialist Jean-André Périchon. The fine arts collection brings together paintings from the Italian Renaissance to the 20th century, including works by Renoir and Suzanne Valadon. Finally, the collection on the history of Limoges tells the story of the city from the ancient Augustoritum, with models, archaeological furniture, and Romanesque and Gothic sculptures.

Highlights

• More than 600 enamels, including painted Renaissance enamels
• Around 2,000 Egyptian antiquities, with models from the Middle Kingdom
• Paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Suzanne Valadon
• History of Limoges from the ancient Augustoritum, with models
• 18th-century episcopal palace and terraced gardens

Permanent exhibitions

• Collection d'émaux – More than 600 pieces show the output of Limousin workshops from the Middle Ages to the present day, including champlevé enamels and painted Renaissance enamels.
• Collection d'antiquités égyptiennes – Around 2,000 pieces from the Jean-André Périchon donation cover the whole of pharaonic history up to the Coptic period.
• Histoire de Limoges – Models, archaeological furniture and sculptures trace the history of the city from the Gallo-Roman period to the early 20th century.

Founded

1912

Operated by

Ville de Limoges

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month

Free admission also for job seekers, recipients of minimum social benefits, group leaders, Friends of the museum, holders of the ICOM card, a teacher card or a press card, and other audiences listed by the museum.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The whole museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility thanks to ramps and lifts. Wheelchairs are lent at reception, and folding seats are freely available. Large-print and Braille texts and torches are lent. The museum offers tactile tours for blind and partially sighted visitors, tours in French Sign Language and easy-language routes. Reserved parking spaces are located at the top of Rue de la Cathédrale and on Place de la Cathédrale.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

During the holidays, family play tours with a mediator are offered for children from 5 to 7 years, depending on the activity. Independently, children have visit notebooks for ages 6 to 12, treasure hunts for ages 6 to 14, puzzles, magnetic boards and hide-and-seek games for toddlers from age 2.

Getting there & parking

Access is through the honour courtyard of the Palais de l’Évêché: after the gateway, turn right and walk along the pavilion; the entrance is on the first floor. Reserved parking spaces for disabled visitors are nearby.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Cloakroom in the entrance hall.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit