The Limousin breed is descending from the French province of Limousine, which is characterized by harsh weather conditions. The Limousin breed originated from the interbreeding with another resistant local breed, which was represented by its rough constitution due to its purpose as working cattle. 

The first herd-book of Limousin cattle was created in 1866. To improve the characteristics of this breed an early breeding program was established to increase meat qualities, such as early maturation, massiveness and the production of non-fat structures.