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 in 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.

Limousin

Coordinates: 45°41′17″N 1°37′14″E / 45.68795°N 1.620483°E / 45.68795; 1.620483

Limousin (French pronunciation: [limuzɛ̃]; ) is a former administrative region of France. Since 1 January 2016, it is part of the new region Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes. It is composed of three departments: Corrèze, Creuse and Haute-Vienne.

Situated largely in the Massif Central, as of January 1, 2010, the Limousin had 742,770 inhabitants on nearly 17,000 km², making it the least populated region of mainland France.

Forming part of the southwest of France, Limousin is bordered by the regions of Centre to the north, Poitou-Charentes and Aquitaine to the west, Midi-Pyrénées to the south and Auvergne to the east. Limousin is also part of Occitania.

Formation

The modern region of Limousin is essentially composed of two historical French provinces:

Limousin cattle

Limousin cattle are a breed of highly muscled beef cattle originating from the Limousin and Marche regions of France. The breed is known as Limousine in France. Limousins were first exported from France in significant numbers in the 1960s and are now present in about 70 countries. They are naturally horned and have a distinctive lighter wheat to darker golden-red colouring, although international breeders have now bred polled (do not have horns) and black Limousins.

Initially used mainly as draft animals, interest in Limousins as a source of high quality meat grew about two hundred years ago. The first Limousin herd book was then established in France in 1886 to ensure the breed's purity and improvement by only recording and breeding animals that satisfied a strictly enforced breed standard.

Limousins have become popular because of their low birth weights (ease of calving), higher than average dressing percentage (ratio of carcase to live weight) and yield (ratio of meat to carcase), high feed conversion efficiency, and their ability to produce lean, tender meat. A major multi-breed study reported that Limousins converted feed into saleable meat more efficiently and significantly faster than popular British breeds, and marginally faster than other popular continental European cattle breeds. Conversely, the other cattle breeds produced proportionally more low-cost by-product and waste, which resulted in their live weight growth being faster than Limousins. Limousins are especially favoured for crossbreeding with cattle such as Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn because of their ability to contribute hybrid vigour, and improve the yield and feed conversion efficiency of these British breeds, which produce higher levels of fat and marbled meat.

Limousin (horse)

Limousin horse ( french:Cheval limousin) is as french breed of horse. It is now extinct.

References