History of Limousin

The history of Limousin (Occitan: Lemosin), one of the traditional provinces of France, reaches back to Celtic and Roman times. The region surrounds the city of Limoges (Occitan: Limòtges). Limousin lies in the foothills of the western edge of the Massif Central, with cold weather in the winter. Its name is derived from the name of a Celtic tribe, the Lemovices which main sanctuary was recently found in Tintignac and became a major site for the Celtics studies thanks to unique objects which were found such as the carnyces, unique in the whole Celtic world.

During the 3rd century, Saint Martial (Occitan: Sent Marçau) evangelized the region, and became the first Bishop of Limoges.

During the 10th century, Limousin was divided into many seigneuries; the most important of them, located in the southern part of the region, were the vicomtés of Limoges, Comborn (in the present-day Corrèze), Ventadour (today Ussel and Plateau de Millevaches), and Turenne. The northernmost part of Limousin belonged to the County of La Marche, while the bishops of Limoges controlled most of present-day Haute-Vienne. Such political fragmentation led to the construction of many castles, whose ruins still evoke memories of that historical period.

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