Semois

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Semois
Kayaking on the Semois.
Kayaking on the Semois.
Origin Ardennes
Mouth Meuse
Basin countries Belgium, France
Length 210 km
Source elevation 410 m
Avg. discharge 26 m³/s
Basin area 1,329 km²

Semois (in France: Semoy, German: Sesbach, Walloon: Simwès) is a river in the Ardennes in Belgium and France. It is a right tributary to the river Meuse. The source of the Semois is in Arlon, in the Belgian province Luxembourg, close to the border with Luxembourg. The Semois flows roughly in western direction. It crosses the French border 26 km before it flows into the river Meuse in the town Monthermé. Its total length is 210 km. Towns along the Semois are Chiny, Florenville, Herbeumont, Bouillon (including the localities of Dohan and Poupehan) and Vresse-sur-Semois with Bohan sur Semois as most well known village (all in Belgium).

The origin of the river's name comes from the Germanic words sach meaning point and mari meaning water, It was written as Sesomirs in 664, Sesmarus in 950, Sesmoys in 1104 and Semoir in 1244.

The river gave its name to the typical tobacco flavour grown in its area.

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