Where to buy Limoges Porcelain in Limousin, France

And bag those Limoges porcelain bargains! Where better to find bargains than in the porcelain factory shops of Limoges and Limousin. This shopping guide will tell you where to find great porcelain buys.

Most people haven't heard of Limoges, but those who have often know it as a centre for fine porcelain. In the past Limoges was know as 'the red city' because the many porcelain kilns would be fired up twenty four hours a day colouring the night sky with their flames. The history of the porcelain industry goes back to 1766 when a very pure kaolin was found near Saint Yrieix-la-Perche, about 30 km away from Limoges and following this discovery the region enjoyed a golden age.

Today the Industry remains strong. There are so many outlets in and around Limoges that this article is in no way exhaustive. The factories and shops below are those that I have visited so far in my quest to find local china for my Bed and Breakfast, Les Trois Chenes. We are situated about 45 minutes from the city of Limoges and enjoy the pleasures and tranquility of rural Limousin, knowing that we are only an easy drive away from all the amenities of Limoges.

If you are shopping for that special present, you will have no trouble finding something to suite your taste and your pocket. You can buy beautiful vases three feet high, or tiny thimbles or ornaments barely measuring a centimeter. You can spend thousands, or a euro or two. You can buy one precious item, or buy by the kilo. You can buy from bijoux boutiques in the centre of Limoges or see if you can bag a bargain in one of the many factory outlets both in and around Limoges. In some of these factories you can watch the porcelain being made, visit kilns and see displays of materials and the history of porcelain.

Situated about 15 minutes from Limoges, Aix-sur-Vienne is a pretty town built on the banks of the River Vienne. It consists of a factory which you can visit, and a shop where you can buy Limoges Porcelain.

The Shop

The porcelain factory shop windows have attractive displays, but it is only as you enter the shop that you can see just how large the shop is, and how extensive the range of pottery on show. They have over 100,000 articles on display in 1000m² of shop floor arranged on three levels. There are over 200 complete dinner services from which to choose.

The building itself has been beautifully restored and it is a pleasure in itself to admire the magnificent fireplace, the polished wooden doors and floors, the natural materials that complement the pottery so well. In the basement you will find white ware and 'seconds', although it is often difficult to see the faults. On the ground floor the displays are arranged in groups of different colours, designs and styles; every taste is catered for. There are traditionally decorated items and services of course, but there are also very contemporary designs. You will also see glass ware and other kitchen and dining room accessories. Pick up a hand-woven basket and enjoy browsing and choosing, but make sure you set aside plenty of time.

The factory

You can see the porcelain being made and meet the staff on a guided tour of the factory. You will be told of its history and the techniques are explained. The factory is run today in much the same way as in the last century. Everything is still made entirely by hand.

Parking

There is parking behind the shop and on the opposite side

Details

The shop

Opening times

Open all the year round 9.30am - 7pm. Open Sundays in December.

April 1st - September 30th Open 7 days a week including public holidays. Sundays and public holidays open 10am - 1pm and 3pm - 7pm

Closed May 1st, November 1st, December 25th and January 1st.

Factory

Times of guided tours

Free guided tours of the factory all the year round. Monday - Friday 10am and 3pm

July and August additional visits at 11am, 4pm and 5pm

Prior group bookings necessary.

Closed Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Contact

+33 (0)5 55 70 14 68 e-mail: info@maisonporcelaine.com www.maisonporcelaine.com

La Vie En Rose factory shop is situated on the banks of the River Glane very near the favourite painting spot of the celebrated French artist Camille Corot. One glance at this remarkable river with steep wooded river banks, huge, picturesque boulders and level riverside walk and you can see why Corot found it so attractive. This makes a visit to the porcelain shop doubly attractive as you can stroll along the river, see Corot's little cabin, recently restored, picnic at one of the many picnic tables and have a pleasant swim. You can then walk back along a path at the top of the banks, arrive back at the start of the walk and then take your car back along the road to Saint Junien, calling in at the porcelain shop on your way back; a perfect day out.

The Shop

When you enter the shop you walk into a dimly lit room at the foot of the stairs leading into the main display area, and you will be charmed to see a number of lamps made from translucent white porcelain. The porcelain is crafted in such a way that light shines through the thinner areas of the pot and a pattern is revealed. In other lamps the pattern is cut into the clay creating a porcelain lace of light.

From here you walk up the stairs and you arrive in the enormous showrooms filled with a wide selection of porcelain including hand painted Limoges boxes, dinner services, ceramic jewellery and apothecary jars. There is also attractive display of water colour paintings of the river by local artist Patrick Rougier.

Parking

There is ample parking opposite the shop, however little parking further down near the river and the Site de Corot.

Details

Opening times

10am - 6.30pm Monday - Friday

During summer, 1 July - 31 August open every day

Contact

33 (0)5 55 02 36 37 e-mail: lavieenrose@cegetel.net

www.lavieenrose-limoges.com

This is a much smaller factory than the others featured here and, at the time of writing in 2010 was on the point of moving to Piegut-Pluviers in the Dordogne, so I have given details of the Porcelain Land site in Piegut in the details below.

The factory is utilitarian and the display basic but the porcelain itself is just as pretty and sold at factory prices. I was lucky enough to be given a guided tour of the factory area where the porcelain was being painted by hand.

St Mathieu is an attractive small town with a particularly good swimming lake. You can walk all around the lake, swim, camp at the municipal site and enjoy a small beach or eat in the excellent restaurant there. The autumn colours are especially spectacular.

Parking

Good parking in front of the shop.

Piegut is a bustling small town famous for its huge and colourful Wednesday market which should not be missed.

Details

Opening times

8am - 4pm Tuesday - Friday

Contact

Tel: +00 33 (0)5 55 00 38 26 (No e-mail or website)

Porcelain Land

Opening times

10.30 - 12.30am and 14.30 - 7pm Tuesday - Friday (No e-mail or website)

Bellevue
24360 PIEGUT PLUVIERS
Tel : 05 53 56 41 76

Established since 1797, Royal Limoges is one of the oldest manufacturers of porcelain in Limoges. The factory was established at Faubourg des Cassaux (today named rue Donzelot) in 1816 and it still occupies its original site on the banks of the river Vienne. The river was used to transport the wood for its kilns. The factory still makes its own clay.

There is a large open factory shop area on one floor with a good selection of fine porcelain and white porcelain.

The shop also has a small exhibition and an area where you can see a short film about the fabrication of the porcelain. You can also join the factory tour.

Royal Limoges is situated right in the heart of the city of Limoges so from here you are well placed to see all the sites this historic city has to offer.

Parking

There is ample parking in front of the shop

Details

The shop

Opening times

Open all the year round 10am - 6.30pm Monday - Friday.

Open Sunday 10:00 am - 6:30 pm (from July to September)

Factory tour

Admission for groups by reservation every day (except Saturday and Sunday) from 10:00 am to 12:00 am and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Contact

Tel: +33 (0) 555 33 27 30 e-mail magasin.usine@royal-limoges.fr

www.royal-limoges.fr

Tucked in behind the Royal Limoges shop is one of the old porcelain kilns dating from 1904. You can visit the kiln which is spectacular, and there is an interesting exhibition which explains the background and history of porcelain production. You can even go inside the kiln, which has two chambers, one at ground level and one on the level above. Buy tickets in the Royal Limoges shop.

Opening times

Open all the year round 11am - 6pm Monday - Saturday. Closed Sundays and holidays

Guided tours

Paying visit with video from 10:00 am to 12:00 am and 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Guided tours 4 euros (1 hour) Groups of 20+ 3 euros. School children 2 euros

Visit without tour 2.50 euros.

'La Village de la Porcelaine' is situated just outside St Yrieix-la-Perche where the 'white gold', or Kaolin clay that is an essential ingredient in the manufacture of porcelain was first discovered. The main buildings are an old mill on the banks of a small stream near the lake of Arfeuille. The finest porcelain is on display in the main shop as well as crystal glasses and cutlery. There is a small museum with a collection of rare pieces of porcelain from many periods. White porcelain and 'seconds' are found stacked high in a large warehouse next to the museum where you can buy china by the kilo.

The quaint buildings and picturesque setting make this ideal for a day out and a picnic. Afterwards you can explore the town of St Yrieix which has several interesting historical monuments to see as well as other porcelain shops and factories.

Parking

Ample parking within the grounds

Details

Opening times

Monday - Saturday 9am - 12am and 2pm - 6pm Closed Sundays and holidays

Open every day July and August 9am - 12am and 2pm - 6pm

Contact

+33 (0)5 55 75 10 38 e-mail jpm@villagedelaporcelain.com

Other factory shops in and around Limoges

There are other important factory shops that I have not yet had time to photograph, one of my favourites being Deshouilliers

Haviland (Limoges)

25, rue Philippe-Lebon Z.I. Nord
87073 Limoges Cedex France
Tél : 33 (0)5 55 04 73 00
E-mail : accueil@haviland.fr

Deshoulières (Limoges Centre)

77 bis, rue Armand Dutreix
87000 Limoges
Tel : 05 55 50 33 43
Open Monday - Saturday 9h30-12h30 13h30-18h30

MP Samie (St Yrieix-la-Perche)

Route de Limoges 87500 SAINT-YRIEIX LA PERCHE
Tél : 05 55 75 11 74
Open Tuesday - Saturday : 10h00 - 12h30 and14h30 - 19h00
Sunday and Monday: 14h30 - 19h00

Bernardaud

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MARECHAL PORCELAIN PARIS Authentic French Limoges Boxes Porcelain

Marechal, 232, RUE DE RIVOLI, 75001 PARIS FRANCE

PHONE : +33 (0) 1 42 60 71 83 FAX : +33 (0) 1 42 60 33 76 METRO : TUILERIES

info@limogesmarechal.com

This lovely little studio and shop is run by Martine Florentin, who has lived in Augignac for some thirty years. She was previously employed selling porcelain in Porcelaine Land at Piégut-Pluviers and she has now set up her own business decorating and selling porcelain - her main passion in life.

Drop into the shop and see Martine decorating the white porcelain which she buys from the factory. You can also take children to the studio where they can learn about the craft, decorate their own porcelain and take it home after firing.

Parking

Ample parking near the shop

Details

Opening times

Wednesday - Saturday 2pm - 7pm

Contact

+33 (0)5 53 56 86 54. e-mail symphoniea@orange.fr

Les Trois Chenes offers painting holidays, a self-catering three star gite and Bed and Breakfast accommodation. We are well-situated to visit the porcelain factories and shops described here and we visit a porcelain outlet as part of our painting courses.

For the Guest House china we chose a white Limoges porcelain service with a delicate pattern of grape vines depicted in relief. I delight in its delicacy, simplicity, translucence and beauty, but also in its strength and resilience. I will also be able to replace it as this is one of the traditional patterns that is always in stock.