This small square, where several avenues and boulevards meet, is dedicated to Jean-Baptiste Jourdan, a military leader born right here in Limoges. He’s best remembered for his victory at the Battle of Fleurus in 1794, a turning point during the French Revolution that helped protect France from invasion. Several European monarchies had united in an attempt to crush the revolution and prevent its ideas from spreading, but Jourdan’s success at Fleurus, now echoed in the name of a nearby boulevard, helped turn the tide. He went on to win other key battles and later joined forces with Napoleon, who named him Marshal of the Empire in 1804. After Napoleon’s fall, Jourdan became governor of the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris, a role he held until his death in 1833. His statue now stands proudly at the center of the square in tribute. You’ll also see a war memorial here, honoring those who died in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and in the First World War. The square took on its current layout in the 19th century and quickly became a lively hub for both social and cultural life in Limoges, thanks to its location right next to the train station. It’s surrounded by elegant Haussmann-style buildings and, in 2023, even served as the finish line for Stage 8 of the Tour de France. Now that you know the story behind the square, let’s head just next door to the station.