©Maison Traditionelle De La Boucherie|Tom Jouhandeaud

The traditional butcher's shopin Limoges

The traditional butcher’s shop in Limoges

Right in the heart of the Boucherie district, in the old town of Limoges, hides a discreet house at number 36. Behind its red railings, half-timbered facade and surprising pig sign, it’s hard to imagine what’s inside! 🐖 And yet… this mansion is home to an essential part of Limoges’ history and the rue de la boucherie. Welcome to the Maison Traditionnelle de la Boucherie, a testament to the skills and life of the butchers’ guild, which has shaped this district since the Middle Ages and whose imprint can still be read in its surrounding lanes steeped in memory.

Go behind the scenes of a period butcher’s shop

Push open the door of the Maison Traditionnelle de la Boucherie and step back in time to the beginning of the XXᵉ century. Here, everything was designed around the trade: the shop opened directly onto the street, while at the back, an alleyway allowed the animals to reach the stable… a very short circuit! Imagine the herds crossing the Place des Bancs… a sight from another era! 🐄

Today, the house has become a veritable living eco-museum, retracing the daily lives of these butchers’ families who worked, cooked and lived under the same roof (rather like Montrol-Sénard).
On the ground floor, the day’s meat was prepared and cooked; upstairs, around twenty people shared comfortable bedrooms, a symbol of the butchers’ privileged social status. Sheep and pig skins were dried in the attics.

The tour reveals a host of astonishing details: old tools, period furniture, archive documents, photographs of the bustling street, not forgetting the impressive traditional ice-house, used before the arrival of industrial refrigeration to preserve meat.

DID YOU KNOW?
Today, only one butcher’s shop still exists in the “butcher’s quarter”. However, Limousine meat is sold everywhere else!

A house in a unique district

The Maison Traditionnelle de la Boucherie is the perfect embodiment of the soul of this emblematic district of Limoges. As you stroll along its narrow streets, you can still see the old hooks that were once used to hang meat on the facades. In days gone by, the streets were one huge open-air stall, with stalls lined up in rows and only a narrow passageway left for shoppers to pass through. A whole world dedicated to meat, which can be seen even inside the chapel of Saint-Aurélien, where the infant Jesus is depicted… tasting a kidney! (image 3)

At the time, every major city in France had its own butchers’ quarter. What makes the one in Limoges so unique is that it has been preserved almost intact. Proud of its independence, the Limoges butchers’ guild has always looked after its heritage, particularly in the 1970s, when the district was almost wiped out by urban renewal projects. Thanks to their determination, this place steeped in history has survived.

And to bring it back to life, a tasty idea was born: the Frairie des Petits Ventres. Every autumn, this friendly festival brings back the spirit of yesteryear on the cobbles of old Limoges. 🐂🍷

La frairie des petits ventres

This rue de la boucherie looks peaceful, doesn’t it? Well, it is. But watch out: on the third Friday in October, everything changes! In one evening, this quiet little corner of Limoges becomes the beating heart of the city. (Look at the second photo to see that! ) Nearly 40,000 foodies flock here to celebrate the famous Frairie des Petits Ventres, a popular and tasty festival that pays tribute to Limoges’ butchery traditions. 🍖

Created in the 1970s to revive the district and its spirit of yesteryear, the Frairie showcases emblematic meat products: calf’s heads, boudins, tripe, galetous and other local specialities simmered with love. Stalls fill the cobbles, smells waft in the crisp October air, and good cheer spreads around every corner. 🎶

To mark the occasion, the Maison Traditionnelle de la Boucherie opens its doors wide: a must-visit to understand where this unique festival comes from and delve into the history of those who have made the heart of this very special district beat faster. ❤️

Practical info

Address

36 Rue de la Boucherie, 87000 Limoges

Opening period

The traditional butcher’s shop is open during the summer period from early July to late August, from Tuesday to Saturday and from 2pm to 6pm. (Limited to five people).

Out of season, the house is open by reservation for groups. Contact the Limoges Tourist Office.

Practical information

Guided tour only.

Price: Free

Departure every 30 minutes.

Duration: Approx. 30 min.