Do You Know Limoges, Of Limoges Porcelain Fame?

History of Limogesthe French Revolution. These days, the term Limoges
Limoges is a city and commune in France. St Martial,porcelain refers to porcelain produced in Limoges
who came to the city around 250, evangelized therather than in any particular factory.
city. The Abbey of St Martial was constructed in theThe industry prospered in 19th century and most of
9th century, and was the home of a large library.the population was employed in the porcelain
The presence of this library led to Limoges becomingindustry, or incidental activities like procuring wood
a flourishing artistic center during the middle ages.needed for cooking porcelain. Not only did the
Limoges was also the home of an important schoolindustry prosper, but Limoges porcelain also became
of music composition, the St Martial School.world famous in the 19th century.
During the 13th century, Limoges was at its fullLimoges was also renowned for Limges enamel,
splendor, with a new line of walls encompassingmedieval enamels on copper, and Limousin oak, oak
Vienne river guarding the town proper, a populatedbarrels used in the production of Cognac.
area outside the walls, and a castle with 12-meterAn Curious Reconstruction
high walls controlled by the Abbot (while the townThe 19th century also saw strong construction
was ruled by Bishops).activity in Limoges. It was more of a
During the 14th century, Edward, the Black Prince,destruction-and-rebuilding exercise of much of the
who reportedly massacred some 3000 residents,city center, considered unhealthy. Local chicken-eating
occupied Limoges. During the French Revolution, thecontests, and a reputation as a nest of prostitution,
population destroyed several religious edifices,led to this alleged bad health of the city center.
including the Abbey of St. Martial.Things to See at Limoges
Industries DevelopThe Crypt of St Martial and the remains of a
In the 18th century, kaolin was discovered nearGallo-Roman amphitheater were discovered in the
Limoges. Kaolin is a rock rich in fine white clay that is1960s. There is the Gothic cathedral of St Etienne
used for making porcelain.(started in 1273 and finished in 1888) that is notable
At that time, Limoges was an impoverished region.for a fine rood loft and a partly octagonal bell-tower.
The administrator of the region at that time was theThere are also other churches from the middle ages.
progressive economist Anne Robert Jacques Turgot,Then there are the Bridges of St Martial dating from
who decided to develop a new industry, ceramics,Roman times.
using the kaolinite available locally.The main railway station of Limoges is a modern
Turgot established a manufactory for hard-pastestructure, Limoges-Bénédictins,
porcelain, similar to Chinese porcelain, in 1771. Aconstructed over ten railway lines instead of to their
number of private manufactories were added afterside.