France: Fragile Limoges
October 2007, by Gini
We arrived in one of France's most architecturally elegant train stations on time. It happened to be the semi finals for the Rugby World Cup which New Zealand didn't happen to be in... humpf, but in good spirit we joined the masses to watch on the big outdoor screen in Place Republique (large square) and watched England vs France and cheered on France so we wouldn't stand out in the crowd (and coz we wanted them to win). So with a kebab in hand that was more like a burger with chips inside we watched and lost again.
Our first full day in Limoges and everything was closed because it was a Sunday, I love the concept behind it but really what are the tourists meant to do! Limoges is well known for its Porcelain so we checked out the museum which was made from a private collector named Adrien Dubouche. It had some really amazing art old and new. After wandering around the centre of town we later chilled out in Jardin de I'Eveche and enjoyed the park in the sun.
Day two and we decide, well Tom decided he is game enough to have a try at this left hand driving thing. "Crazy, we are going to die" kept running through my mind but after a few times around the roundabout and a quick stop at the local boulangerie and our backpacks just fitting in the boot, we were off and in the right direction! Being a passenger was an interesting experience as every so often with a funny road turn we would end up on the left hand side of the road for just a few seconds but long enough to freak me out and Tom tells me changing gears with your right hand isn't the most natural of actions so an experience in itself!
A martyred village attracted some interest which was in Ordour-sur-Glane, northwest of Limoges. It had a interesting exhibition on WWII from the French perspective before we entered the village. The entire village has been left how it fell over 50 years ago. A whole town of innocent bystanders were caught up in the war and slaughtered by Nazi SS soldiers, who left only 6 survivors by mistake to tell the tale. It was the perfect way to respect the tragedy by leaving everything the way it was. Old cars, sewing machines and buckets stood the test of time and the general village structure.
After the village we headed for Sarlat la Caneda in the Dordogne region but that is another tale...
G
Our first full day in Limoges and everything was closed because it was a Sunday, I love the concept behind it but really what are the tourists meant to do! Limoges is well known for its Porcelain so we checked out the museum which was made from a private collector named Adrien Dubouche. It had some really amazing art old and new. After wandering around the centre of town we later chilled out in Jardin de I'Eveche and enjoyed the park in the sun.
Day two and we decide, well Tom decided he is game enough to have a try at this left hand driving thing. "Crazy, we are going to die" kept running through my mind but after a few times around the roundabout and a quick stop at the local boulangerie and our backpacks just fitting in the boot, we were off and in the right direction! Being a passenger was an interesting experience as every so often with a funny road turn we would end up on the left hand side of the road for just a few seconds but long enough to freak me out and Tom tells me changing gears with your right hand isn't the most natural of actions so an experience in itself!
A martyred village attracted some interest which was in Ordour-sur-Glane, northwest of Limoges. It had a interesting exhibition on WWII from the French perspective before we entered the village. The entire village has been left how it fell over 50 years ago. A whole town of innocent bystanders were caught up in the war and slaughtered by Nazi SS soldiers, who left only 6 survivors by mistake to tell the tale. It was the perfect way to respect the tragedy by leaving everything the way it was. Old cars, sewing machines and buckets stood the test of time and the general village structure.
After the village we headed for Sarlat la Caneda in the Dordogne region but that is another tale...
G
Limoges Railway Station at night
Now that is a tea set! Bet your grandma doesn't have one of those sets
It's your turn
Pretty lights of porcelain
