Inauguration of the restored 1929 Art Deco woodwork
![](https://cibul.s3.amazonaws.com/91e7f4e568c84cd7b28f5edac9239cfb.base.image.jpg?__ts=1725530117046&format=webp&width=1920)
The restoration of this magnificent 1929 Art Deco woodwork was completed on June 19, 2024. This historic monument was secretly hidden for several decades at the Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat station and then by the HistoRail® museum, in order to protect the «resistant» railwaymen who had decided to save this woodwork intended for destruction like all the rest of the «large furniture» constituting the «inner station» under the dome of the SNCF station of the Benedictines, declared Plus Belle Gare de France in 2023. In 2019, HistoRail® took her out of hiding. The DRAC Nouvelle-Aquitaine discovered her and decided to restore and relocate her to her original station. The Delegated Project Management is transmitted in November 2021 by convention to the association HistoRail® which has ensured sustainability for several decades. The estimated budget is €90,000. Crowdfunding is launched, supplemented by grants from the DRAC, the Heritage Foundation, SNCF Direction de la culture, patrimoine et politique mémorielle, local authorities: city of Limoges which contributes with significant funding, the department of Haute-Vienne and the Commune of Saint-Léonard de Noblat. Corporate philanthropy is also widely associated with financing. The supplement comes from nearly 200 private donors. The inauguration, on September 20, 2024 from 12h at the Gare des Bénédictins is reserved for funders and donors. It will be done in the «lost steps» hall in front of the woodwork on a reserved site. HistoRail® has invited a jazz band called “Caïman Swing” (
), renowned for swinging on boogie-woogies under the dome of this magnificent station. All visitors and travelers present will benefit. Attention: The gauge is limited to 300 people to respect the Vigipirate plan. It can be reduced by the Prefecture if this plan is tightened. Donors and passengers will have priority access to the station. Two other events are proposed during this festive day, and are the subject of two separate sheets: • a conference at the BFM of Limoges from 15h to 16h30 on the theme of railway heritage, • and a big jazz concert with the same group at the CCM Jean-Gagnant in Limoges. ( €20 ticket, reservation required on www.historail.org )