Benedictins Train Station

You’re now standing in front of Limoges’ most iconic landmark: the Gare des Bénédictins. And that’s no exaggeration—it’s often ranked among the most beautiful train stations in the world. Officially listed as a Historic Monument, the building brings together Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and neoclassical styles, all masterfully combined by architect Roger Gonthier. Let’s rewind a bit. Limoges’ first railway station opened in 1856 and served the city for more than 70 years, but as passenger numbers grew, a replacement became necessary. After five years of construction, the new Gare des Bénédictins was inaugurated in 1929. What makes it especially unique is that it’s built above the tracks—unlike most stations, which sit alongside them. This clever layout saves space and gives easy access to all platforms. The station is easy to recognize thanks to its massive copper dome and its 67-meter campanile tower topped with a clock that has four Roman numeral faces. You might notice the Roman numeral for four is written differently than usual — a little design trick to keep the clock face perfectly balanced. There’s even a local legend that says the clock runs two minutes fast to help travelers catch their trains. Step inside and you’ll see that the interior is just as impressive, filled with ornate mouldings, sculptures, stained glass, and a stunning skylight. Yet when it first opened, not everyone was impressed. Its bold, unconventional design drew a fair bit of criticism and some colorful nicknames—people called it everything from “the lard block” to “the millipede colossus,” “the dromedary hump,” and even “the cyclopean station.” But those early critics didn’t have the last word. The station soon became a beloved symbol of Haute-Vienne, helping drive industrial growth and the expansion of the rail network. In 1967, it welcomed the Capitole: the fastest train in France at the time, connecting Paris and Limoges in under three hours. That was long before the TGV (the French high-speed train) and it was a major source of local pride at the time. In 1998, a fire broke out in the dome during maintenance work, causing serious damage. The dome had to be rebuilt to match the original, though the new copper turned out slightly darker in color. Still, the station remains a local treasure. In 2022, it was voted the “Most Beautiful Train Station in France” in a national contest organized by the SNCF, France’s national railway company. Like much of the city, it’s also built above a network of underground galleries—some of which were used by German troops during World War II. One tunnel even still bears a sign reading “Reserved for the Wehrmacht,” though these underground passages aren’t open to the public. What you can do, though, is head inside and take in the grand skylight and all the beautiful details. It’s the perfect way to experience this architectural gem up close.