Limoges' grand main station is undoubtedly the best way to arrive in this historic city. It is one…read moreof its main landmarks, as well as a designated national monument. Completed in 1929 to the designs of Gonthier, it's an imposing edifice which freely mixes classical architecture with art deco and classical decoration. The platforms are located beneath a huge 31m high domed circulating area at first floor level, clad in copper and decorated with large classical sculpture inside (the female nudes striking me as very French). The main exterior feature is the 61m high clock tower, an odd composition with a tapering square column topped by four heavily arched clock faces, all surmounted by a green copper roof. To my eyes, it's striking and impressive, rather than elegant. The station, opened originally in 1850, is on the main Paris to Toulouse line. It doesn't benefit from regular TGVs, and the normal express trains take about 3 hours from Paris (Austerlitz). There is also a range of local TER services which connects towns in the Limousin Region. Facilities in the station include ticket and information offices, a newsagents/shop, bar, cash machine and several car hire offices. There's a large car park, and a taxi rank and bus stops at the front.

From the owner: Monument historique La gare des Bénédictins est un des monuments les plus connus de Limoges. En…read more1856, la ville se dote d'un équipement temporaire. La gare actuelle, inaugurée en 1929 après cinq années de travaux, est l'oeuvre de l'architecte Roger Gonthier. Elle est notamment constituée d'une coupole posée au-dessus des voies et de grandes verrières. Malheureusement, le 5 février 1998 un incendie détruit 40% de la couverture. Le dôme est très sérieusement ravagé par les flammes et par l'eau.