Eglise Saint Michel des Lions

The church of St Michel is one of Limoges’ most interesting historical sights, located in the old part of the town, close to the site of the old castle (near Place Motte).
The church was built largely in the 14^th and 15^th centuries in the Late Gothic style, and contains the relics of St Martial, who brought Christianity to the Limousin area in the 3^rd century, and those of St Loup.
From the outside, much of the church is obscured by adjacent buildings, and the best vantage point is Place St Michel, from where the tower and steeple — surmounted by a golden ball — can best be appreciated. The tower was begun in 1383 and is just under 200ft high. The portal onto the square is flanked by two stone lions, from which the church derives its informal name of St Michel des Lions.
Inside, the space is a good example of a hall church, with a nave flanked by aisles of the same height, with chapels opening from each bay of the aisles. The slender, elegant clustered columns of the arcade lean at some alarming angles, but recent restoration work has provided additional (hidden) support to the vaults.
The chancel space is simply the end of the nave and aisles, and has an impressive 19^th century carved reredos, the central part of which (behind the altar) holds the brass casket (1809) containing St Martial’s relics. These were brought here after the destruction of the nearby Abbey of St Martial in 1790.
There are altars either side which, while technically separate chapels, actually form one continuous piece of sculpture.
Of greatest interest are the two east windows to the north and south of the central window, which both contain 15^th century stained glass: that above the altar of St Loup depicts the Virgin and child, surrounded by medallions of the life of the Virgin. That above the altar of St Valerie depicts St John the Baptist, again surrounded by medallions depciting his life.
The rest of the church is also filled with stained glass, mostly from the 19^th century and of varying quality, although there is no denying the dramatic overall effect. Other furnishings include the familiar 18^th and 19^th century baroque altarpieces in the chapels, some 16^th and 17^th century statuary and 19^th and 20^th century enamels.

Un joyau au coeur de la ville
Il est vrai que les églises de Limoges sont toutes plus belles les unes que les autres, mais Saint Michel est spéciale. D’abord parce qu’elle est le centre des ostentations (tous les 4 ans) et elle est entièrement rénovée et superbement mise en valeur à l’intérieur. Remarquez les piliers qui sont tous penchés… rassurez-​vous, c’est normal !

Intéressante pour son clocher et ses deux statues le lions romaines qui en gardent l’entrée (église saint michel des lions)