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Crypte Saint-Martial: Echoes of Limoges' Ancient Past

Unearth Limoges' hidden history in the Saint-Martial Crypt, where ancient tombs and tales of pilgrimage await beneath the city's heart.

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The Crypte Saint-Martial in Limoges offers a captivating journey through the city's history, from Gallo-Roman times to the era of the imposing Saint-Martial Abbey. Rediscovered in 1960, this underground tomb holds the remains of Saint Martial, the first bishop of Limoges, and Saint Valerie.

A brief summary to Crypte Saint-Martial

  • 9 Rue Saint-Martial, Limoges, 87000, FR

Local tips

  • Book your guided tour in advance through the Limoges Tourist Office to ensure availability.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as the tour involves walking and descending steps into the crypt.
  • Check the Tourist Office website for the tour schedule, as it varies throughout the year.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Crypte Saint-Martial is located at 9 Rue Saint-Martial, in the heart of Limoges. From Place de la République, locate the Tourism Office. The crypt entrance is nearby, accessed via a staircase leading underground. Look for signage indicating the crypt entrance. As the crypt is in the city center, walking is a convenient option from many points in Limoges. Note that the crypt is accessible only via guided tours, so confirm the meeting point when booking. There are no specific costs associated with reaching the crypt entrance beyond the tour fee.

  • Public Transport

    The Crypte Saint-Martial is easily accessible by public transport. Several bus lines stop near Place de la République, a short walk from the crypt entrance. Check local bus schedules for the most up-to-date information. A single bus fare in Limoges typically costs around €1.50. From the Limoges train station, Gare de Limoges-Bénédictins, you can take a bus to Place de la République. Note that the crypt is accessible only via guided tours, so confirm the meeting point when booking.

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Discover more about Crypte Saint-Martial

Delve into the depths of Limoges' history at the Crypte Saint-Martial, an archaeological site that whispers tales of the city's distant past. Located beneath Place de la République, in the heart of modern Limoges, the crypt is the only remaining vestige of the once-grand Saint-Martial Abbey, founded in 848 AD. The Abbey was dissolved in 1791, and its buildings were razed at the beginning of the 19th century. Rediscovered in 1960 during excavations, the crypt contains the tombs of Saint Martial, the first bishop of Limoges, and Saint Valerie, a local martyr. The origins of the abbey lie in a graveyard outside the original Roman settlement of Augustoritum, which evolved into a place of pilgrimage in Merovingian times. By the 6th century, a funerary chapel stood above Saint Martial's tomb. Today, the crypt is accessible only as part of guided tours offered by the Tourist Office. These tours provide an exciting journey through the history of Limoges, from the Gallo-Roman era to the glory days of the Saint-Martial Abbey. The remains of the ancient churches of Saint-Pierre-du-Sépulcre and Saint-Benoît, as well as a small part of the cloister, can also be seen.

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