Museum of Fine Arts

You’re now standing in the courtyard of the Museum of Fine Arts, right in front of the building that once served as the city’s episcopal palace. It was built in the 18th century, right next to the cathedral, at the request of Bishop Louis Charles du Plessis d’Argentré, who hired architect Joseph Brousseau for the project. The exterior was completed in 1774, but the interior kept evolving for years with new decorative touches. Over time, the building saw many lives—it was even used as army barracks and later as a hospital. In 1905, it was left vacant after the law separating Church and State came into effect, but it didn’t stay empty for long. It was soon listed as a Historic Monument, and by 1912, the city had turned it into a public museum known as the “Ancien Évêché.” In 2008, it was renamed the Limoges Museum of Fine Arts. This U-shaped granite building includes two entrance pavilions, an orangery, and a chapel. Today, it houses one of the world’s most impressive collections of Limoges enamel—a decorative art form that gained immense popularity in the 12th century. Inside, you’ll discover enamel works from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, from the 19th century all the way to contemporary times. But that’s not all—the museum also features paintings, sculptures, drawings, and archaeological artefacts in its permanent collection, and it regularly hosts temporary exhibitions. If you want to dive into the story of Limoges, there’s no better place to begin.