Porcelain, Landscapes and Exceptional Craftsmanship

Limoges for Two

Designed as an exploration for two, this stay connects Limoges and its cultural institutions with more open landscapes, without ever losing the thread. Spend two days immersed in porcelain and the arts of fire, then set off on excursions to Aubusson, the Millevaches Regional Natural Park, and Lake Vassivière. Each day brings a new setting, new textures and a new rhythm, while gradually revealing a coherent and vibrant portrait of the Limousin region.

Table of contents

You’ll love it

Going behind the scenes of porcelain and traditional crafts

Balancing cultural visits with green escapes

Shifting scale, from Limoges to the wide landscapes of the Limousin

Enjoying an elegant, soothing stay for two

Day 1

Limoges, First Steps

First steps in Limoges among medieval enamels, fine porcelain and a stroll along the Vienne River.

at a glance  

First Gestures, First Light

  • Morning: Arrival in Limoges. Begin with a gentle walk through the old town: narrow streets, half-timbered houses and discreet squares. Take time to settle in and feel the city’s rhythm, which varies from one neighbourhood to another.
  • Afternoon & Evening: Head to the Adrien Dubouché National Museum. Here, porcelain is not a static showcase but a living story — of forms, uses and modernity. The spacious layout invites contemplation, making it an ideal first immersion. End the day with a stroll along the Vienne River as the light softens. For dinner, the city offers plenty of appealing options.
Destination Limoges
Adrien Dubouché National Museum

©Limoges, Campanile Centre Gare / L. Ghesquiere

Your accomodation

Campanile Limoges Centre Gare

Just steps from the train station and city centre, this hotel offers a practical and comfortable base for exploring Limoges on foot. Its central location provides easy access to museums, riverbanks and historic districts, in a modern, calm and functional setting — ideal for a gentle start to the stay.

Hôtel Campanile Limoges Centre

Day 2

Limoges

A second day to explore the city, from porcelain workshops and the historic district to lively terraces.

at a glance

Porcelain in the Present Day

  • Morning: To deepen your understanding of this iconic craft, visit the Bernardaud Foundation. Porcelain becomes contemporary, creative and sometimes bold. Explore the workshops and exhibitions, and see how tradition and design engage in dialogue.
  • Afternoon & Evening: Continue to the Limoges Fine Arts Museum, renowned for its exceptional enamel collection. A few Impressionist paintings are also well worth the visit.
  • (Alternative: an artisan workshop or independent gallery in the city centre.)
    Later, enjoy the garden overlooking the Vienne, then wander again through the medieval district — or attend a basketball game (CSP Limoges is legendary!) or a concert.
All about Limoges Porcelain

Good to know

It all starts with kaolin

This clay-based rock is the foundation of porcelain. The French were crazy about Chinese porcelain, and then a kaolin deposit was discovered in Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, near Limoges. It was 1768, and the porcelain adventure began in Limousin…

Find out more about the history of porcelain in Limoges

Day 3

Aubusson, the art of tapestry

Excursion to Aubusson to discover the art of tapestry and wander through this charming riverside town on the banks of the Creuse.

at a glance

A Change of Material, a Change of Horizon

  • Morning: In Aubusson, the International Tapestry Centre is far more than a museum. It offers a deep dive into a living craft tradition, recognised by UNESCO, brought to life here through remarkable exhibition design. Visitors move from the ancestral techniques of weavers and dyers to the most contemporary creations, in spaces that combine sensory immersion with monumental artworks. Each gallery introduces a new perspective, and the dialogue between historic tapestries and contemporary artists — including collaborations with Studio Ghibli (works inspired by Miyazaki) and the heirs of J.R.R. Tolkien, creator of The Lord of the Rings — is particularly striking. You leave with a very clear understanding of what the term “living heritage” truly means.
  • Afternoon & Evening: Take time to explore this charming town, where many artisans create unique pieces. The banks of the Creuse River offer a welcome bucolic pause.
    For the evening, you may stay here or head towards the Millevaches Regional Natural Park to begin your nature escape right away.
About the City of Tapestry

©Chambre Hummingbird / Chez Jallot

Your accomodation

Chez Jallot Guesthouse in Vidaillat

In the heart of the Creuse, Chez Jallot is a characterful guesthouse, perfect for a pause between nature and wide landscapes. Surrounded by greenery, it offers a peaceful and authentic atmosphere, ideally located for exploring the Millevaches Plateau, Lake Vassivière and embracing a slower rhythm, far from the bustle.

Chez Jallot Guesthouse

Day 4

Lake Vassivière & Millevaches Regional Natural Park

A breath of fresh air around Lake Vassivière, surrounded by deep forests, hiking trails and a contemporary art centre.

at a glance

Simply Breathe

  • Morning: Morning
  • Welcome to the “Little Canada” of the Limousin! The road to Lake Vassivière winds through wild landscapes of dense forests, peat bogs and open moorlands. The scenery gradually changes — and so does the air. Once there, choose between an easy hike along the shores or renting bikes to circle the lake and enjoy multiple viewpoints.
  • Afternoon & Evening
  • In the middle of this inland sea, a surprise awaits: a wooded island, an open-air museum in itself. Discover a contemporary art centre, a lighthouse that is both photogenic and unexpectedly acoustic. Take your time, then let evening fall. The park is an International Dark Sky Reserve — night truly settles here, revealing a star-filled sky. A simple, rare and truly magical moment.
About the Lake Vassivière
About the Natural Regional Park

©Vassivière, sentier Puy de la Croix / Christophe Péan

Good to know

Natural, really?

What we admire today as a natural landscape is actually a 1,000-hectare artificial lake, created when a dam was built across the Maulde River. The dam itself is worth a visit, offering an impressive view of the height difference and a chance to imagine everything that once lay beneath the waters to produce electricity.
The Vassivière Island lighthouse also pays tribute to this history.

Learn more about the history of the lake

Day 5

Oradour-sur-Glane & Saint-Junien

A powerful day between remembrance at Oradour-sur-Glane and the leather-making craftsmanship of Saint-Junien.

at a glance

Gesture and Memory

  • Morning: For your final day, head to Saint-Junien to discover a third emblematic craft of the region: leatherwork. The Leather City (Cité du Cuir) extends the thread of materials explored throughout the journey.
  • Afternoon
  • The Limousin was a stronghold of the French Resistance during the Second World War, and the martyr village of Oradour-sur-Glane stands as a powerful symbol. Less harrowing but equally meaningful, the Resistance Museum in Limoges sheds light on these difficult chapters of contemporary history.
About the Leather City
About Oradour

©Limoges, Musée de la Résistance / muséedelaresistance

Good to know

Remembrance tourism

This is the name given to visits to specific historical heritage sites. As Limousin was a stronghold of the Resistance, several museums and sites are linked to the Second World War.

See the page presenting these historical sites.

Good to know

Our tips for enjoying your stay

  • Alternate indoor visits with time outdoors.
  • Leave space for unplanned moments — Limoges and the Limousin are best enjoyed in pauses.
  • Distances can be significant, but they are always rewarded by the experience.

Low-Carbon Accessibility

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Here are some practical answers to the most common questions, to help you plan your stay with ease and confidence.

Yes. Walks are easy and can be adapted.

Yes, a car is essential to connect Limoges with the various sites.

From May to October, to fully enjoy the landscapes and walks.

Rates

indicative budget

(Based on 2 people)

From €620 (2 adults)
The price includes
  • 2 nights in Limoges
  • 2 nights in Creuse
  • Daily breakfast
  • Selected cultural site admissions : Adrien Dubouché National Museum; Bernardaud Foundation, Limoges Fine Arts Museum; International Tapestry Centre; Art center of Vassivière; Leather City in Saint-Junien; Oradour.
The price does not include
  • International transport to/from Limoges
  • Local transfers
  • Meals
  • Optional guided tours
  • Personal expenses and travel insurance

💡 The total budget may vary depending on the season, accommodation category and availability of guided activities. Travelling outside peak summer periods generally allows for a more comfortable budget and a quieter experience.

This might interest you

Experience the NOuvelle-Aquitaine

For the undecided, the charm of the South-West France can be found throughout the region. Go explore our other destinations, from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the hidden villages of Deux-Sèvres, or enjoy surf sessions on the coast and hikes in the vast landscapes of Limousin. You will certainly find the stay that suits you.

You will like

Nature & Escape
Well-being & Vitality
Sharing & Connexion