Bishop's Palace Botanical Garden

You’re now standing in the Bishop’s Garden, perched on the slopes of Puy Saint-Étienne with a beautiful view over the Vienne River. Limoges is famously built on seven hills, and you’re on one of them. Just steps away from the cathedral, this peaceful park is made up of several terraced gardens and happens to be the largest green space in the city center. It was created in the 18th century after the construction of the episcopal palace and combines a formal French garden with a botanical garden added in the 1950s. That botanical section was originally designed to help pharmacy students study different plant species. With nearly 3,000 varieties, it includes a “systematic garden” where plants are grouped by their characteristics, a themed garden featuring medicinal, aromatic, dye-producing, and edible plants, and an ecological area that recreates the natural habitats of the Limousin region. But beyond the impressive plant life, this is just a lovely, tranquil place to wander. You’ll find benches, winding paths, and beautiful views of the cathedral all around. Take your time exploring, and keep an eye out for the charming Orangerie pavilion and the Chapelle de la Règle hidden within the grounds.