Prefecture building

Turn around and take a moment to admire the beautiful façade behind you. The prefecture is the main local administrative headquarters. Shaped like an irregular pentagon wrapped around a central courtyard, it is one of the most eye-catching buildings in Limoges. In 1895, the decision was made to replace the old, crumbling prefecture with a new one, and a design competition was held to select the architect. The winner was Parisian architect Jules-Alexandre Godefroy. Construction began in 1903, and the building was officially inaugurated just a year later, though the interior decoration continued until 1913. Inside, you’ll find elegant decorative paintings from the era of the French Third Republic, while the exterior stands out with its twelve grand columns, a stone balustrade, and two impressive side wings. The sculptural and decorative details were created by Henri Varenne, a celebrated French sculptor and decorator of the time. Among his contributions are the two lion heads flanking the entrance at the base of the central turret. By the end of the 20th century, several parts of the building were officially recognized for their historical value. The façades and roof were listed as Historic Monuments in 1975, followed by various interior spaces including the small drawing room, the reception hall, the prefect’s office, the council chamber, and the glass roof.