©Visit a Limoges porcelain workshop: modelling at Porcelaine Carpenet in Saint-Léonard de Noblat.|© Porcelaine Carpenet

A must-see in Saint-Léonard de NoblatCarpenet porcelainHow Limoges porcelain was born...

Visit to the Carpenet porcelain factory in Haute-Vienne

Open the door of Porcelaine Carpenet in Saint-Léonard de Noblat and discover how Limoges porcelain is created. 🔎 Here, everything is done by hand, in a small family-run factory where you can get close to the craftsmen. Casting, enamelling, decorating… 🖌️ Each stage is revealed before your very eyes, between mastered gestures and workshop secrets. An authentic, lively and accessible visit, perfect for understanding the white gold of the Limousin in a different way. 🤍

The secrets of Limoges porcelain

In the heart of the Haute-Vienne region, in a workshop that has been awarded the “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (Living Heritage Company) label, Limoges porcelain comes to life, step by step, before your very eyes. The tour takes you behind the scenes: preparing the kaolin, delicate shaping, mastering the fire… Every step of the way tells a story, the story of a rare know-how certified GI Porcelaine de Limoges, where the white gold of the Limousin reveals all its finesse. 😍

©Porcelaine Carpenet: hand-decoration of Limoges porcelain in the Haute-Vienne region of France|© G. Loiraud

Closer to what porcelain makers do

During your visit, you will be guided by an employee of the factory, who will show you each stage of the production process, while the workshop continues to bustle around you. Casting into moulds, meticulous drying, retouching, glazing… Each stage reveals a technique, a rhythm, a requirement. An authentic insight into the making of Limoges porcelain, explained with clarity and passion 🔥

©Visit a Limoges porcelain factory: enamelling at Porcelaine Carpenet|© G. Loiraud

Why is Porcelaine Carpenet a must?

There is no industrial production here. Limoges porcelain is made in a family-run factory on a human scale, now run by the third generation. With around fifteen employees, the atmosphere remains confidential and warm. The visit then takes on a rare, almost privileged dimension, as close as possible to a living heritage that has made the Haute-Vienne’s reputation. ✨

The must-sees

The Carpenet factory offers a range of not-to-be-missed experiences, from discovering how things are done, to the pleasure of strolling around and the desire to take home a unique piece. Whether you’re curious, a porcelain enthusiast or just passing through Saint-Léonard de Noblat, there’s a good reason for everyone to push open the door. ️

©How Limoges porcelain is made: slip casting at the Carpenet porcelain factory|© G. Loiraud

Visit the factory

The factory tour gives you a step-by-step insight into how Limoges porcelain is made. Accompanied by a member of staff, you’ll discover the gestures, techniques and day-to-day life of a family-run factory in the Haute-Vienne, up close to the craftsmen. It’s an immersive experience, punctuated by the workshop’s real-life activity, that captures the attention and appeals to all audiences.

Discover the tour

©Porcelaine Carpenet factory shop in Saint-Léonard de Noblat: biscuit porcelain cups|© Porcelaine Carpenet

The shop in Saint-Léonard

In the porcelain factory shop adjoining the factory, extend your visit by exploring the collections. Tableware, decorative pieces, clearance models: the choice is wide and the prices remain affordable. All the pieces are made from Limoges porcelain, manufactured on site, and can be customised on request.

See the Saint-Léonard boutique

©Where to buy Limoges porcelain: colourful cups from the Carpenet boutique in Limoges|© Porcelaine Carpenet

The Limoges boutique

The Carpenet boutique in Limoges is the ideal place to stop off on a trip to the capital of the arts of fire, to combine a visit to the city with local shopping. You’ll find a selection of Limoges porcelain pieces, from elegant creations to contemporary designs. It’s a great opportunity to take home a souvenir made in Haute-Vienne, direct from the manufacturer.

Visit the Limoges boutique

Good to know

How to get there.

The Carpenet factory is located at 29 route de la Mine (lieu-dit “Saint Aubin”) on the outskirts of Saint-Léonard de Noblat, in the direction of Lac de Vassivière.

Easy to spot thanks to the large “Porcelaine de Limoges” sign, it can be reached in less than 5 minutes by car or around 10 minutes by bike. On foot, the route is not very suitable.

How much time to allow.

The tour lasts around thirty minutes, making it an ideal way to spend a day exploring the Haute-Vienne region.

The price is €3, and children under 12 are free.

For individual visitors, online booking is possible but not compulsory. Groups are welcome by appointment.

When to visit the factory.

Tours are available all year round, except at Christmas.

The days and frequency vary according to the season, in order to adapt to the activity of the factory and the rhythm of production.

Click here for opening times

Things to know before you enter.

To preserve the know-how and working comfort of our employees, photos and videos are not permitted in the workshop.

The memory of the visit is best kept in the memory – and can also be extended in the boutique, over a carefully chosen piece.

Continue your stay in Saint Léonard de Noblat

Visite guidée de Saint Léonard de Noblat — ©Visite guidée du cœur historique de Saint Léonard de Noblat : place de la République, avec une vue sur la tour ronde et le clocher de la collégiale |Office de Tourisme de Noblat

A preserved historic heart

Discover the preserved historic heart of the medieval town of Saint Léonard de Noblat, the only Site Patrimonial Remarquable du Limousin.

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All restaurants

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Book your stay

Make a visit to the Carpenet factory part of a self-paced break in the Haute-Vienne.
Around Saint-Léonard de Noblat, there are a number of ideas for holidays that combine
heritage and the landscapes of the Limousin.

Cycling holidays in Haute-Vienne

🚴 Have you heard of the Vélidéale? This new cycle route runs for 665 km through the heart of nature and life in the Grand Ouest.

Link the Limousin to the Atlantic Ocean with a light heart and discover the hidden treasures of the Haute-Vienne, including the Carpenet porcelain factory and the Moulin du Got in Saint Léonard de Noblat.

5 days on the Vélidéale

Easy group visits

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 For groups, Noblat Tourist Office offers turnkey days based around local heritage and expertise: visit the Carpenet factory, discover the Moulin du Got, stroll around the medieval town, marzipantasting…

Design a tailor-made programme for your group with our free guidance.

Group activities in Saint-Léonard

Motorbike roadtrip in Haute-Vienne

🏍️ Between Limoges, Saint-Léonard de Noblat, Lac de Vassivière and Mont Gargan, the Haute-Vienne is the perfect place for a motorbike trip. The winding, little-travelled roads pass through forests, valleys and picturesque villages, offering real pleasure on two wheels.

Escape to the unspoilt landscapes of the regional nature parks, enjoy breaks in the medieval towns and châteaux of the Limousin, before hitting the road again, fully relaxed.