


1. Limoges
Capital of the Arts of FireFirst of all, Limoges, the Cité des Arts du Feu. Indeed, stained glass, a combination of fire art and industrial technique, has marked the city’s identity alongside the enamel and Limoges porcelain that have made it world-renowned. A native of the town, internationally renowned master glassmaker Francis Chigot has left his mark on Limoges:
- Stroll under the dome of the Gare des Bénédictins, “France’s most beautiful railway station”, where immense art deco-style stained-glass windows offer a soft, gentle light.
- Stroll through the gallery of the Musées des Beaux-Arts to admire Francis Chigot’s permanent exhibition of stained glass, with its colorful reflections of foliage and nature .
- Or push open the heavy church doors to admire the stained glass windows and their play of light: Basilique Saint Michel de Lions, Église Saint-Pierre-du-Queyroix…
2. Oradour sur Glane
New Saint Martin churchIn the new village of Oradour, rebuilt after the destruction of the historic village during the massacre of June 10, 1944, the new church of Saint Martin features stained glass windows by Pierre Parot of the Atelier du Vitrail in Limoges. Although monumental, they bring both softness and solemnity to the religious edifice.
In a highly figurative style, these luminous stained glass windows depict passages from the Gospel that speak oflove between men. We take the time to watch the light play with the stained glass, like a glimmer ofhope after the darkness. 🙏


3. Les Billanges
Church of the Nativity of St. John the BaptistLet’s continue our ” stained glass hunt” in Les Billanges, a peaceful little village in the Monts du Limousin. Dating from the 12th century, its small church is unusual in that it was fortified during the Wars of Religion, as evidenced by the astonishing crenellations and loopholes above the chevet and doorway!
Built in the Romanesque style, it has just one long nave, where you can admire the play of light, as well as a reliquary from Grandmont Abbey, a treasure trove of Limousin goldsmiths’ skills, and ancientfrescoes.
On site, we recommend a nature break with the mulberry hiking trail and a gourmet break at the ferme auberge de la Besse! 😁
4. Saint-Hilaire les Places
Saint-Hilaire Romanesque churchAt Saint-Hilaire les Places, the skills of ancient and modern eras are intertwined. The small Romanesque church in this Pays de Nexon Monts de Chalus village features frescoes dating back to the 11th century and a contemporary stained glass ensemble. The stained-glass windows were created by local painter and enamellerLéa Sham’s(her other creations can be seen at Galerie du Canal in Limoges ❤️).
Enter the building, open your eyes wide and let yourself be immersed in Léa Sham’s colorful play of light: “I focused on two central colors, crimson reds and ultramarine blues […] to give power and warmth to the images […] to create dense, extremely colorful, vibrant atmospheres. “
Concerts and exhibitions are regularly organized in this desanctified church to continue financing its restoration…. The location lends itself perfectly to these events!


5. Saint-Priest-Taurion
Saint-Priest ChurchSaint-Priest Taurion is a small commune located some twenty minutes from Limoges along the Vienne river. Step inside its 12th-century church to admire an enamelled reliquary cross from the treasures of Grandmont Abbey, as well as remarkable stained glass windows by master stained glass artist Francis Chigot that play with the light of the sun!
Other attractions in the village include the Jardin insolite Récup’Art, the Château de Bort and, for gourmets, the refined cuisine of the hotel restaurant Le Relais du Taurion. 😋
6. Saint Amand le Petit
A work of art in the heart of the churchClose to the Lac de Vassivière and the medieval town ofEymoutiers, Saint Amand le Petit is a small village in the Limousin in the Parc Naturel Régional de Millevaches.
Its 13th-century church was restored in 2015, with the creation of a contemporary work of art within the religious edifice. Entitled ” L’eau, l’air, la terre et le feu” (“Water, air, earth and fire “), this work featuring the 4 elements was created by visual artist Jean-Pierre Uhlen, commissioned by the commune.
The work includes a fresco, stained-glass windows, furniture and aninnovative lightingsystem… and a more than harmonious play of light! Definitely a must-see!
To find out more, read the Focus Les Vitraux produced by the Pays d’art et d’histoire de Monts et Barrages on stained glass expertise in the Vassivière and Limousin area.


7. Saint-Léonard de Noblat
Romanesque collegiate church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage SiteWe end our stained glass tour in Limousin in the medieval town of Saint-Léonard de Noblat, one of the most beautiful villages in the Haute-Vienne. Enter the historic center to reach the Romanesque collegiate church, listed by UNESCO as one of France’s Pilgrim Routes to Santiago de Compostela.
The religious building is dedicated to Léonard, the patron saint of prisoners, who has been the object of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages. There are also many walkers on the road to Compostelle. Follow in their footsteps in the ambulatory, where you’ll see the stained-glass windows dancing in the light. In 2022, the Atelier du Vitrail, heirs to Francis Chigot, will once again be in charge of renovating the stained glass windows in the nave.
Want to find out more about Francis Chigot? We invite you to read the “Focus Francis Chigot Maître Verrier” designed by the Pays d’art et d’histoire de Monts et Barrages and the Ville d’art et d’histoire de Limoges, or the biographical work “Ce que maître verrier veut dire : Francis Chigot 1879 – 1960” by Martine Tandeau de Marsac, his granddaughter and a member of the Francis Chigot Association.