Limoges

Limoges
Montage Limoges.png
Limoges is located in France
Limoges
Administration
Country France
Region Limousin
Department Haute-Vienne
Arrondissement Limoges
Canton Chief town of 16 cantons[1]
Intercommunality Limoges Métropole
Mayor Alain Rodet
(2008–2014)
Statistics
Elevation 209–431 m (686–1,414 ft)
(avg. 294 m/965 ft)
Land area1 77.45 km2 (29.90 sq mi)
Population2 139,026  (2006)
 - Density 1,795 /km2 (4,650 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 87085/ 87000
Website http://www.ville-limoges.fr/
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Limoges (Lemòtges / Limòtges in the Limousin dialect of Occitan) is a city and commune, the capital of the Haute-Vienne department and the administrative capital of the Limousin région in west-central France.

Limoges is known for its medieval enamels (Limoges enamels) on copper, for its 19th century porcelain (Limoges porcelain) and for its oak barrels (Limousin oak), which are used for Cognac production.

Contents

History

Ancient and medieval history

Scarce remains of pre-urban settlements have been found in the area of Limoges. The capital of the Gaulish people of the Lemovices, who lived in the area, was probably some kilometres south-east of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat.

The city proper was founded as Augustoritum by the Romans, around 10 BC. The foundation was part of the reorganization of the province by the emperor Augustus, hence the new name. The Roman city included an amphitheater measuring 136 x 115 meters, a theater, a forum, baths and several sanctuaries. According to tradition, a temple consecrated to Venus, Diana, Minerva and Jupiter was located near the modern cathedral. The city was on the typical Roman square plan, with two main streets crossing in the centre. It had a Senate and a currency of its own, a sign of its importance in the imperial age.

Limoges was evangelized by Saint Martial, who came to the city around 250 with two companions, Alpinianus and Austriclinienus. However, in the late 3rd century it was increasingly abandoned, due to unsafe conditions created by German invasions. The population concentrated instead on a more easily fortifiable site, the modern Puy Saint-Étienne, which is the centre of the modern Limoges. Starting from the construction of the Abbey of St. Martial (9th century), another settlement grew around the tomb of the saint, while a third area, next to the residence of the viscount (the future Castle of Saint Martial), seems to have been populated from the tenth century.

Starting from the eleventh century, thanks to the presence of the Abbey of St. Martial and its large library, Limoges became a flourishing artistic centre. It also was the home to an important school of medieval music composition, which is usually called the St. Martial School; its most famous member was the thirteenth century troubadour Bertran de Born.

Limoges enamel ciborium with champlevé enamel, and center rim in pseudo-Kufic script, circa 1200.[2]

In the 13th century, at the peak of its splendour, central Limoges was constituted by two different fortified settlements.

Outside the lines of walls were the popular quarters.

In 1370 Limoges was occupied by Edward, the Black Prince, who massacred some 3,000 residents, according to Froissart. See Massacre of Limoges. However, Froissart's account is described in Jonathan Sumption's account of the war as "exaggerated and embroidered with much imaginary detail." Citing a monk of St. Martial's Abbey, Sumption posits that a more reliable figure for the number killed is around 300 people, "perhaps a sixth of the normal population," with another 60 members of the garrison of 140 dead as well.[3]

Modern history

Yale Mobile Hospital Unit No. 39 stationed at the Limoges factory, Christmas, 1917

The city and castle were united in 1792 to form the single city of Limoges. During the French Revolution several religious edifices, considered symbols of the Ancien Régime, were destroyed by the population: these included the Abbey of St. Martial itself.

Some years later the porcelain industry started to develop, favoured by the presence of kaolinite which was discovered near Limoges in 1768 [4] . Many of the inhabitants became employed in the new sector or in connected activities (including the lumbering of wood needed for firing the porcelain).

In the 19th century Limoges saw strong construction activity, which included the destruction and rebuilding of much of the city centre. This was necessary as the town was regarded as unhealthy because of local chicken eating contests and as a nest for prostitution. The unsafe conditions of the poorer population is highlighted by the outbreak of several riots, including that of July-November 1830; April 1848 and early 1905. The first French confederation of workers, Confédération Générale du Travail (CGT), was created in Limoges in 1895.

During the Holocaust, many Jews from Alsace were evacuated to Limoges.

Climate

Limoges experiences an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb) common to much of western France. Most precipitation occurs between October and February. On December 27, 1999, winds reached 148 km/h. On average, the city receives 41 days of frost and seven days of snow each winter. In June, July and August, precipitation tends to come only from violent thunderstorms which are formed over the Bay of Biscay.

Climate data for Limoges
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Source: METEO-FRANCE

Demographics

Population city: 137,502 (limougeauds), urban area: 247,944. At the 1999 census, the population was 133,968.[5]

Main sights

The Cathedral of Limoges.
Bridge of Saint Martial.
Gare des Bénédictins.

Porcelain

In 1768,[4] kaolin, a rock rich in fine, white clay which is used for making porcelain, was discovered at Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, near Limoges.[7].

Under the impetus of the progressive economist Anne Robert Jacques Turgot, Baron de Laune, who had been appointed intendant of this impoverished and isolated region, a new ceramics industry was developed, and Limoges porcelain became famous during the 19th century. However, Limoges porcelain is a generic term for porcelain produced in Limoges rather than at a specific factory

More than 50% of all porcelain made in France comes from Limoges [4]

Miscellaneous

The murder of Thomas Becket, Limoges enamel, 12th century (Louvres Museum)

Notable people

Limoges was the birthplace of:

Twin towns

See also

Limoges-fountain.jpg

References

  1. ↑ Limoges if the chief-town of 16 cantons: Limoges-Beaupuy, Limoges-Carnot, Limoges-Centre, Limoges-Cité, Limoges-Condat, Limoges-Corgnac, Limoges-Couzeix, Limoges-Émailleurs, Limoges-Grand-Treuil, Limoges-Isle, Limoges-La Bastide, Limoges-Landouge, Limoges-Le Palais, Limoges-Panazol, Limoges-Puy-las-Rodas, Limoges-Vigenal
  2. ↑ Louvre museum notice
  3. ↑ Sumption, Jonathan. 2009. The Hundred Years War III: Divided Houses. 82-83
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Limoges
  5. ↑ Limoges at INSEE (French)
  6. ↑ Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Martial
  7. ↑ http://www.limoges.com/articles.asp?id=140
  8. ↑ Université de Limoges Website (English)

External links