Saint-Mesmin, Dordogne

Coordinates: 45°21′11″N 1°12′22″E / 45.3531°N 1.2061°E

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Saint-Mesmin
Commune
A general view of Saint-Mesmin
Coat of arms
Location of Saint-Mesmin
Saint-Mesmin Show map of France Saint-Mesmin Show map of Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Coordinates: 45°21′11″N 1°12′22″E / 45.3531°N 1.2061°E / 45.3531; 1.2061
Country	France
Region	Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Department	Dordogne
Arrondissement	Nontron
Canton	Isle-Loue-Auvézère
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Guy Bouchaud^[1]
Area ¹	29.58 km² (11.42 sq mi)
Population (2021)^[2]	325
• Density	11/km² (28/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	24464 /24270
Elevation	182–415 m (597–1,362 ft) (avg. 300 m or 980 ft)
¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Saint-Mesmin (French pronunciation: [sɛ̃ mɛmɛ̃]; Limousin: Sent Maimin) is a commune in the Dordogne department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France.

Geography

The commune is located in the north-east corner of the Dordogne department, on a hill above the river Auvézère. The village is located 42 km (26 mi) north-east of Périgueux. The area consists of forests and farmland.

History

From the creation of the departments in 1790 Saint-Mesmin was first included in the Corrèze department. Three years later in 1793 it joined the Dordogne department.

Population

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1968	534	—
1975	455	−2.26%
1982	393	−2.07%
1990	324	−2.38%
1999	284	−1.45%
2009	264	−0.73%
2014	311	+3.33%
2020	326	+0.79%
Source: INSEE^[3]

The largest population that the census recorded was 1,168 in 1886. Since World War I, the population has gradually been declining until it reached its lowest point in 2009.

Sights

The Auvézère has eroded a more than 100 meter deep gorge in limestone rock. There are footpaths through the gorge, offering access to the cascades.
The Puy des Ages is a 1.5 km (0.93 mi) long rocky ridge on the border of the communes of Saint-Cyr-les-Champagnes and St-Mesmin. Its maximum elevation is 415 m above sea level.