Partial destruction of the neighbourhood 1912-1913 (≈ 1913)
Unsanitary district partially destroyed by municipal decision.
1919
Construction of the pavilion
Construction of the pavilion 1919 (≈ 1919)
Built as a refrigerator by Roger Gonthier.
1921
Assignment to the municipality
Assignment to the municipality 1921 (≈ 1921)
Becoming covered market two years after construction.
1942
Transformation into a bus station
Transformation into a bus station 1942 (≈ 1942)
Function retained more than 30 years.
15 janvier 1975
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 15 janvier 1975 (≈ 1975)
Listed in the inventory of historical monuments.
1978
Restoration and new vocation
Restoration and new vocation 1978 (≈ 1978)
Becomes exhibition hall after work.
2023
Restoration work
Restoration work 2023 (≈ 2023)
Repair of damage to the building.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Roger Gonthier - Architect
Designer of the pavilion and the Benedictine Station.
Pierre Parot - Drafter
Author of interior decorations, often poorly attributed.
Francis Chigot - Glass
Collaborator of Pierre Parot, son of Léonard Chigot.
Origin and history
The Pavillon du Verdurier is an emblematic monument to the city centre of Limoges, built in 1919 by architect Roger Gonthier, known for the Benedictine Railway Station. Originally designed as a refrigerator to store Argentine meat during the First World War shortage, it adopts an octagonal plan and is decorated with mosaics and ceramic stoneware by the Gentil & Bourdet house. His interior decorations, often wrongly attributed to the painter Léonard Chigot, are in reality the work of the cartoonist Pierre Parot, collaborator of glassmaker Francis Chigot, son of Léonard.
Acquired by the municipality in 1921, the pavilion successively became a covered market, then a bus station from 1942, a function it retained for more than 30 years. Ranked a historic monument in 1975, it was restored in 1978 to become a place of exhibition, a role it still occupies today. In 2023, restoration work was under way to address the deterioration of parts of the building, including damaged safety nets.
The Verdurier district, formerly considered unsanitary, was partially destroyed between 1912 and 1913 before being rebuilt until the 1930s. The pavilion, located near Gay-Lussac High School, illustrates the urban and architectural evolution of Limoges in the 20th century, mixing public utility and Art Deco heritage. Its history reflects the successive adaptations of a building with an initial commercial vocation, marked by the changing needs of the city.
The interior decorations, often poorly attributed, underline the importance of local artisans such as Pierre Parot and Francis Chigot in the beautification of the monument. The building, served by trolleybus lines 4 and 2, remains a symbol of the modernization of Limoges and its preserved architectural heritage.
