Limousin

Quick Facts: Who was Limousin?

Subject:

Limousin

Known for:

A former administrative region in southwest-central France, known for its Celtic heritage.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Limousin (French pronunciation: [limuzɛ̃] ; Occitan: Lemosin [lemuˈzi]) is a former administrative region of southwest-central France. Named after the old province of Limousin, the administrative region was founded in 1960. It comprised three departments: Corrèze, Creuse, and Haute-Vienne. On 1 January 2016, it became part of the new administrative region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Situated mostly in the west side of south-central French Massif Central, Limousin had (in 2010) 742,770 inhabitants spread out on nearly 17,000 km2 (6,600 square miles), making it the least populated region of metropolitan France.

Career & Major Achievements

Forming part of the southwest of the country, Limousin was bordered by the regions of Centre-Val de Loire to the north, Auvergne to the east, Midi-Pyrénées to the south, Aquitaine to the southwest, and Poitou-Charentes to the west. Limousin was also part of the larger historical Occitania region. The population of Limousin was aging and, until 1999, was declining. The department of Creuse had the oldest population of any in France. Between 1999 and 2004 the population of Limousin increased slightly, reversing a decline for the first time in decades.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Brive-la-Gaillarde Guéret Limoges Panazol Saint-Junien Tulle Ussel Limousin was one of the traditional provinces of France. Its name derived from that of a Celtic tribe, the Lemovices, who had their capital at Saint-Denis-des-Murs and whose main sanctuary in 2004 was found in Tintignac, a site which became a major site for Celtic studies thanks to unique objects which were found – such as the carnyces, unique in the whole Celtic world. Viscount Aimar V of Limoges (c. 1135 – c. 1199) was a notable ruler of the region. Until the 1970s, Occitan was the primary language of rural areas. There remained several different Occitan dialects in use in Limousin, although their use was rapidly declining.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1199: 1199 Milestone — 1199) was a notable ruler of the region.
2. 1960: 1960 Milestone — Named after the old province of Limousin, the administrative region was founded in 1960.
3. 1999: 1999 Milestone — The population of Limousin was aging and, until 1999, was declining.
4. 2004: 2004 Milestone — Its name derived from that of a Celtic tribe, the Lemovices, who had their capital at Saint-Denis-des-Murs and whose main sanctuary in 2004 was found in Tintignac, a site which became a major site for Celtic studies thanks to unique objects which were found – such as the carnyces, unique in the whole Celtic world.
5. 2010: 2010 Milestone — Situated mostly in the west side of south-central French Massif Central, Limousin had (in 2010) 742,770 inhabitants spread out on nearly 17,000 km2 (6,600 square miles), making it the least populated region of metropolitan France.
6. 2016: 2016 Milestone — On 1 January 2016, it became part of the new administrative region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Limousin

True or False: “The Limousin region was always considered part of the historical Occitania region throughout French history.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While it was sometimes associated with Occitania, its administrative status and borders have changed significantly over time.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Limousin