Semois

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Semois
Semois.JPG
Kayaking on the Semois.
Origin Ardennes
Mouth Meuse
49°52′48″N 4°44′19″E / 49.88°N 4.73861°E / 49.88; 4.73861 (Meuse-Semois)Coordinates: 49°52′48″N 4°44′19″E / 49.88°N 4.73861°E / 49.88; 4.73861 (Meuse-Semois)
Basin countries Belgium, France
Length 210 km
Source elevation 410 m
Avg. discharge 26 m³/s
Basin area 1,329 km²

The Semois (Simwès in Walloon; Semoy, Sesbach in German; and known as the Semoy in France) is a river flowing from the Ardennes uplands of Belgium and France towards the River Meuse, of which it is a right tributary.

The source of the Semois is at Arlon in the Belgian province of Luxembourg, close to the border with the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Flowing in a roughly westerly direction, it enters France after passing through the Belgian village of Bohan-sur-Semois and joins the Meuse some 10 km further downstream at Monthermé. The total length of the river is 210 km.

Other places on the banks of the Semois are Chiny, Florenville, Herbeumont, Bouillon (including the localities of Dohan and Poupehan), and Vresse-sur-Semois (all in Belgium).

The earliest documentation of the name, as SESMARA, is dated from the 2nd century AD. That was before that region was influenced by significant Germanic immigration. Medieval forms include Sesomirs (664), Sesmarus (950), Sesmoys (1104), and Semoir (1244).

The river has given its name to a variety of tobacco grown in the area.

The Semois near Florenville


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