Sheep breed
Limousin
Limousin
The hardy white landscape sheep of the Millevaches plateau.
Description1
A French breed that arose in the late 19th century on the Plateau de Millevaches in the northern Massif Central and was officially recognised in 1943. Uniformly white and kept mainly for meat, it is emblematic of the plateau and important for grazing its heaths and peat bogs.
Medium-sized, with broad rump and back and a deep chest; the white, open, stapled fleece reaches the knee and hock, leaving head, upper throat and belly bare. The head is elongated, Roman-nosed in rams, and polled.
It withstands hard winters and drought, makes good use of coarse forage and its feet are little prone to lameness on acid soils. It breeds out of season well; four lambings in three years are increasingly common. Its milk traditionally makes tomme de Brach cheese.
History1
19th century
Formed on the Millevaches plateau by crossing Massif Central breeds (e.g. Marchoise) and Loire basin breeds (Berrichon-crevant, Châtre).
1909
The Limousin breed syndicate of Corrèze is founded.
1943
Flock book and official recognition.
Breed standard and breed society
The official breed description, breeding goal and herdbook rules are published by the breed's recognised breed society.
- French Wikipedia – Limousine (race ovine)https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limousine_(race_ovine)
Photo gallery
All photos are freely licensed (Wikimedia Commons, Flickr); author, source and licence are shown under each image.
Sources
Accessed: 2026-10-18.