Veau du Limousin

Veau du Limousin is a protected designation covering carcases of calves slaughtered between three and five months of age, born and raised across ten specified French departments in and around the Limousin region. The designation is linked to the natural iron deficiency of local soils, which produces a characteristic whiteness in the meat. Carcase weight must fall between 85 and 150 kg.

About this designation

Veau du Limousin was registered as a PGI on 21 June 1996 under file number PGI-FR-0189, with eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013205. The designation covers carcases of calves slaughtered at the age of three to five months, with a carcase weight between 85 and 150 kg. The geographical area comprises the following departments: Haute-Vienne, Creuse, Corrèze, Indre, Charente, Vienne, Dordogne, Lot, Cantal, and Puy de Dôme. Calves must be born and raised within this area. The feed regime includes a complete suckler feed whose composition is rigorously specified and which is limited in quantity to 35 kg per calf, supplemented by adjuvants including sugar and fresh eggs. The link to geographical origin rests on two grounds: first, a characteristic whiteness of the meat attributed to the natural iron deficiency of the regional soils, which produces a corresponding iron deficiency in the calves' dams; second, a reputation in regional and national gastronomy traceable to the late nineteenth century. The first quality guarantee label for this production was obtained in 1970. Traceability is maintained through individual animal identification during rearing and a numbered identification sheet drawn up at the slaughterhouse and accompanying each carcase; slaughterhouses maintain a labelling register, and retail butchers marketing the product are bound by exclusive sale contracts. The control body is CERTILIM, based at 32, avenue du Général Leclerc, 87065 Limoges Cedex. Labelling must carry the designation Veau du Limousin élevé sous la mère together with the name and address of the certifying body.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 21 June 1996 under file number PGI-FR-0189 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013205).
• Carcases must come from calves slaughtered at three to five months of age, with a carcase weight between 85 and 150 kg.
• The complete suckler feed is rigorously specified and limited to 35 kg per calf.
• The geographical area spans ten departments: Haute-Vienne, Creuse, Corrèze, Indre, Charente, Vienne, Dordogne, Lot, Cantal, and Puy de Dôme.

Tasting notes

Limousin veal IGP from heritage Limousine breed milk-fed calves. Pale pink fine flesh, delicate flavor.

HoReCa use

Premium veal preparations.

Packaging

• Same as Aveyron veal