Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat travel guide
Visit Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France)
Book a visitSaint-Leonard-de-Noblat is a small town to the east of Limoges, in the Haute-Vienne department of Limousin (central France).
The town originally developed as an important medieval pilgrimage centre, with the pilgrims attracted by the tomb of Saint-Leonard, and even today the town is situated on an important pilgrimage route.
Exploring Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat
Your visit to Saint-Leonard centres around its attractive and architecturally important roman style collegiale church and the narrow streets lined with medieval houses that surround the church.
You will find two open squares: the Place Gay-Lussac (next to the cathedral) and the Place de la Republique (a little to the north) as well as the smaller Place Noblat just off the Place de la Republique.
The historical centre is broadly defined by the boulevards that surround the town - these have replaced the defensive walls and moats that originally defended the town.
Collegiale Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat
The collegiale itself dates from the 11th century. Built originally in the roman style it had later gothic modifications. As one of the destinations on the pilgrimage route from Vezelay to Santiago de Compostelle (in Spain) it is also officially listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Particular highlights include the belltower (note how the belltower changes from a square design at the bottom to an octagonal shape towards the top) and porch and the tomb of Saint-Leonard.
Single women might like to touch the lock on Saint-Leonard's chain above the tomb - apparently you will soon be blessed with a husband and children if you do touch it!
Elsewhere in the town
The streets around the collegiale in Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat are worth exploring. Many of the houses in this part of the town are half-timbered while others are grander houses made from stone, and many have interesting little features to discover. The original town hall is just next to the cathedral and you can see some decorative stonework in the facade.
You will also see several buildings that originally formed part of the collegiale complex, such as the Convent of Filles Notre-Dame and the entrance to the Pilgrim Hospital on the junction of Boulevard Carnot and Rue Georges Perin.
On the Place de la Republique you can see the two houses with towers. One of the towers is square, the other round, and both these houses were built in the 17th century.
After exploring the town centre take an amble along the river Vienne to see some more attractive houses and scenery, and a bridge dating from the 13th century (and two newer bridges).
Museums in Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat
There are also a couple of small museums in Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat. One of them is dedicated to Gay-Lussac, the renowned 18th century chemist.
If you studied chemistry at school you will perhaps remember the name Gay-Lussac: he developed a famous chemistry law that explained the volumes of gases when they are combined. I'll spare you the details here, but if you'd like a refresher course the museum is in the Convent of Filles Notre-Dame.
At the Moulin du Got you can learn about the history of paper making techniques and also the historical importance of this industry to the region. The museum is in a paper mill that was in production from the 15th century to the 1950's and has more recently been restored as museum.
Attractions nearby
In the countryside of the region you can visit two important leisure lakes: the Lake Vassivière and the Lake Saint-Pardoux.
Explore elsewhere in the Massif Central. You can find more travel ideas in the Haute-Vienne guide and the Limousin guide.
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Map of Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat and places nearby
Visit near Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat with France This Way reviews
Limoges
Limoges is not usually featured on a list of 'must be visited places' but actually has an interesting centre, well worth exploring.
Limoges guide
Pierre-Buffiere
The small village of Pierre-Buffiere is listed as a village d'etape - a village to visit during your journey - and we found it ideal for a picnic!
Pierre-Buffiere guide
Aixe-sur-Vienne
The quiet town of Aixe-sur-Vienne has few important monuments, but is a pleasure to explore
Aixe-sur-Vienne guide
Lake Vassiviere
The largest lake in Limousin, Lake Vassiviere is a popular leisure lake with numerous activities available
Lake Vassiviere guide
Lac de Saint-Pardoux
The Lac de Saint-Pardoux s a large leisure lake in the Haute-Vienne department
Lac de Saint-Pardoux guide
Oradour-sur-Glane
The village of Oradour-sur-Glane is a memorial town, now maintained in the condition it was left in by the retreating Nazis in 1944. Very moving experience.
Oradour-sur-Glane guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Haute-Vienne
Tourist classifications for Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat
Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat is classified as a recommended detour town (plus beau detour)
Address: Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, Limoges, Limousin, 87400, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.8383, longitude 1.49139
Plan your visit to Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat, Haute-Vienne
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Saint-Leonard de Noblat église (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site
- Limoges: town of art and history (18 km)
- Aquarium du Limousin: aquarium (18 km)
- Pierre-Buffiere: village d'etape (19 km)
- Abbatial church de Saint Pierre (Solignac): religious monument (19 km)
- Magnac-Bourg: village d'etape (25 km)
- Lac de Saint-Pardoux: site of natural beauty (27 km)
- Lac de Vassivière: site of natural beauty (28 km)
- Bessines-sur-Gartempe: village d'etape (32 km)
- Saint-Hilaire-les-Places: ville fleurie 4* (34 km)
- Treignac: most beautiful village (41 km)
- Jardin de Liliane: remarkable garden (42 km)
The French version of this page is at Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat (Francais)