1. Its location
The ground which the station stands on was once occupied by a leprosarium (today place Maison Dieu). It was adjoined to the Benedictine monastery from which it takes its name.
2. The clock tower
![Le campanile et le dôme de la gare de Limoges](http://images.ctfassets.net/zfxytrk6nf7m/6J1GnM0jPwnrtMykM4rBeS/f6152e920be12cdb6e2dc6833031eb7c/800x350_gare_Benedictins_limoges_nuit.jpg?w=700&h=300&q=90&fl=progressive&fit=fill)
This towering 67-metre high tower is taller than that of the Gare de Lyon in Paris. It embraces a clock with four faces linked together so all indicate the same time.
3. The clock
![L’une des quatre horloges du campanile de la gare de Limoges](http://images.ctfassets.net/zfxytrk6nf7m/2XnGdJJXQtI48MRqZgYgGE/49562027b057c963fc3a42c1eecd57ec/800x350_campanile_gare_limoges_benedictins.jpg?w=700&h=300&q=90&fl=progressive&fit=fill)
The clock comprises 4 faces featuring Roman numerals, except for the 4, written as IIII and not IV to pursue the clock’s stylistic harmony. Highly-original: the clocks are always 2 minutes ahead of time to ensure traveller punctuality!
4. Its nicknames
Like the Eiffel Tower, the criticized monument was given various nicknames: “thousand-legged giant”, “block of lard” and even “camel hump”.
5. The concourse
![Le dôme et ses verrières](http://images.ctfassets.net/zfxytrk6nf7m/18kdtZGZmCLWS6hyVieGXX/d7e46d126b260ed89fc093cf6a69bfb1/800x350_limoges_benedictins_dome.jpg?w=700&h=300&q=90&fl=progressive&fit=fill)
Beneath the concourse dome, each wall angle features an allegorical sculpture symbolizing one of the four French provinces served by the Paris-Orléans railway company: Limousin, Brittany, Touraine and Gascogne. Each is illustrated with its own emblems. Limousin is represented by a woman carrying a porcelain vase, ears of wheat, chestnuts and chestnut leaves.
6. Underground passages
![les souterrains](http://images.ctfassets.net/zfxytrk6nf7m/3e4E80jjM9vzqMtDIiowqX/15723a96d45f3a30b80f47f60e1b622a/800x350_sous_terrain_gare_benedictins_Limoges.jpg?w=700&h=300&q=90&fl=progressive&fit=fill)
Between 1942 and 1945, the station was occupied by German troops. The Germans used an underground passage, located under the railway tracks, as a passive defence shelter. The sign “Réservé à la Wehrmacht” (Wehrmacht only) is still visible.
7. Above the tracks
![une gare au dessus des voies](http://images.ctfassets.net/zfxytrk6nf7m/32b9kbRD9yOr7C4VgWOOli/f297c6189b5c2389e72ebcab2bfee4f4/800x350_gare_Limoges_Benedictins_a__rienne.jpg?w=700&h=300&q=90&fl=progressive&fit=fill)
Limoges station is rather unique in that it is built above the tracks and not along them like other stations. A 96 m by 70 m platform, laid perpendicularly, 7 metres above ten railway tracks. The project required over 10,000 m3 of concrete, 1,800 t of steel, 2,800 m3 of stone and 200 labourers.
8. 18 May 1929
The station was inaugurated on 2 July 1929 but the first train ticket was sold there at 6am on 18 May 1929. In 2019, Limoges-Bénédictins train station will blow out its 90 candles.
9. Cinematography
In 2008, Jean-Pierre Jeunet chose Limoges station to shoot the commercial for Chanel N°5 perfume: “Train de nuit”, starring French actress Audrey Tautou.
10. The fire
![Dôme gare Limoges](http://images.ctfassets.net/zfxytrk6nf7m/4ciHBp0RsU2ms0TymdsZ6N/e88f298c7bbed553010a1d0cbf48d921/800x350_d__tails_dome_limoges_benedictins.jpg?w=700&h=300&q=90&fl=progressive&fit=fill)
Like Notre-Dame de Paris in 2019, Limoges station was almost destroyed by fire in 1998. The fire occurred in the dome which was being restored. It took over a year to rebuild it to its original design.
Bonus info
Did you know that Limoges train station has a song dedicated to it? “Limoges Opéra Rock”, the musical fresco, devotes a song to the station: “Limoges Bénédictins”.
Listen in, track 19
Tours of the station are organized by Limoges Tourist Office:
www.limoges-tourisme.com/
12 boulevard de Fleurus - 87000 Limoges
Telf. +33(0)5 55 34 46 87
info@limoges-tourisme.com