Limoges, France
Limoges (Leem-OGE) was the administrative capital of the former Limousin region in west-central France, and currently, Limoges is the capital of the Haute-Vienne department. The city of Limoges was founded in 1792.
On November 5, 1992, a delegation from Limoges, including Mayor Alain Rodet, visited Charlotte for the signing ceremony of our partnership. Charlotte and Limoges have had numerous fantastic events and exchanges ever since.
July 14, 2022: Limoges Day Proclamation by Mayor Vi Alexander Lyles
July 4, 2024: Fourth of July Greetings from Mayor Émile-Roger Lombertie
July 14, 2024: Fête Nationale Greetings from Charlotte Sister Cities
About Limoges
Limoges has very rich history dating back to 10 B.C. Limoges was the administrative capital of the former Limousin region in west-central France, and currently, Limoges is the capital of the Haute-Vienne department. The city of Limoges was founded in 1792. Limoges is located 229 miles southwest of Paris. The population of Limoges is approximately 250,000 people. Limoges is recognized worldwide for its production of fine china and porcelain, medieval enamels and oak barrels. Other production includes electronics, ceramics, and textiles.
June 2023 High School Student Visit to Limoges
In June 2023, nine students and two faculty members from Charlotte Country Day School visited three sister cities in Europe, including Wrocław and Limoges, while utilizing public transportation to travel between locations. They spent three days in Limoges, where they toured the city, visited Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) and Complexe Sportif de La Nation (Sports Park), and spent an evening with the band Gueules Sèches.
Welcoming Les Gueules Sèches de Limoges
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Limoges-Charlotte partnership, 52 band members from Les Gueules Sèches de Limoges were welcomed to Charlotte between July 13 and 15, 2022. Alliance Française de Charlotte led the coordination of the visit along with support from Charlotte Sister Cities and Kindness Matters. Our guests were hosted by members of the Charlotte community and performed at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, followed by a community celebration at International House on Fête Nationale (Bastille Day). Band members were treated to many meals, museum visits, and an Uptown city tour. The visit coincided with the filming of a documentary that will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Les Gueules Sèches de Limoges.
Additional Photos of Limoges
David Lynn, June 2022
Photos from 2009 and Earlier
A Look Back: Beaujolais Fundraising Events
Under French law, Beaujolais Nouveau wine is released every year at 12:01 am on the third Thursday in November, just weeks after the wine's grapes have been harvested. Beaujolais Nouveau is a French tradition that is celebrated in cities large and small all over the world. Beaujolais Nouveau was at one time Charlotte Sister Cities' main annual fundraising event, and was hosted in collaboration with Limoges, Alliance Française de Charlotte, the French business community in Charlotte, and several French cultural and educational organizations in Charlotte, including the French American Chamber of Commerce and the former Bruns French Immersion School. The former Honorary Consul of France, Millie Cox was also a strong Charlotte Sister Cities supporter and participated in the event each year. She was very active and extremely supportive in Charlotte Sister Cities’ annual efforts to promote Limoges and the Beaujolais Nouveau event, which exposed Charlotteans to French heritage and culture. Limoges would often send a delegate to attend the event and they always provided a beautiful piece of Limoges porcelain to raffle off for participants attending, but the most popular prize of the night was always Air France’s two round trip tickets to France. The celebration consisted of French cheese and other food, French themed raffle items, music, and of course the French Beaujolais wine tastings. Charlotte Sister Cities board of directors and volunteers organized and split all the event responsibilities with the Alliance Française de Charlotte board of directors and volunteers.