🇫🇷 Limoges: The Porcelain Capital That Also Raises Beef Cattle

📍 Intro Located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of central France, Limoges is world-famous as the "Porcelain Capital." Its ceramic industry boomed in the 18th century after the discovery of kaolin clay, leading to the prestigious "Limoges" certified hard-paste porcelain 🏺. It’s also the birthplace of Limousin cattle, known for their lean, flavorful meat 🥩. ⸻ 🖼 Porcelain Experience Route 1️⃣ Royal Limoges Factory Store One of France’s oldest porcelain manufacturers, famous for classic patterned china: • Patterned porcelain = expensive 💸 • Biscuit (unglazed) porcelain = underwhelming (looks like cheap imports) • Skip their museum 🚫 2️⃣ Musée National Adrien Dubouché (National Porcelain Museum) Exhibits range from ancient pottery to modern ceramics: • Ticket allows re-entry 🎟️ • Closed 12:30–14:00 ⏳ • Parking available opposite 🚗 ⸻ ⛪️ Must-See City Attractions 3️⃣ Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Limoges A stunning Gothic-Renaissance cathedral (13th century): • Perfect summer retreat ❄️ • Stained-glass windows = breathtaking 🌈 ⚠️ Official souvenir coins only accept small change – I had rare coins, cried inside 😭 4️⃣ Jardin de l’Évêché (Bishop’s Garden) Right next to the cathedral: • Elegant French-style gardens 🌿 • Overlooks the Vienne River 🌊 • Quiet & photogenic 📸 5️⃣ Cour du Temple (Temple Courtyard) – Skipped 14th-century Gothic merchant courtyard: • One of the best-preserved medieval buildings 🏰 • Great for street photography 📷 ⸻ 🍽 French Food Fail Planned restaurant was closed, ended up at Le Versailles Last Brewery: • Starter: White asparagus (local specialty) with mustard sauce = meh 🤢 (bitter) • Local steak (€34) = disappointing 🥩 (nowhere near Angus/Wagyu) ⸻ 🛍 Other Porcelain Shops (Online Picks) • Bernardaud Factory – Luxury tableware, offers tours & workshops 💎 • Haviland – Famous for intricate designs & custom pieces ✨ • Porcelaine Carpenet – Hand-painted porcelain, more affordable 🖌️ #LifeInFrance #RoadTripFrance #PorcelainArt #AntiqueChina #FineBoneChina ✈️🏺