Loire, Department in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.
Description
Loire is a department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, lying between the Rhône valley and the hills of the Massif Central. It covers mountain slopes, lowland plains, and river valleys that connect urban centers with rural villages.
History
The territory took shape in 1793 when revolutionary administrators divided a larger region into separate units. Administrative responsibilities shifted over time among three towns.
Culture
The department maintains strong industrial traditions from mining and metallurgy while preserving natural spaces across the Forez Plain and surrounding mountain ranges.
Practical
Administrative offices in Saint-Étienne, Roanne, and Montbrison handle social services and support for families and older residents. These centers operate on weekdays and respond to public inquiries.
Did you know?
Three distinct geological zones shape the territory with coal basins, granite mountains, and sedimentary plains. This natural variety influences landscape and soil composition in visible ways.
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Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
35.1 km
Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne
36 km
Sainte Marie de La Tourette
31.7 km
Touroparc Zoo
62.7 km
La Maison Troisgros
33.8 km
Lac des Sapins
30.4 km
Aqueduct of the Gier
41.8 km
Safari de Peaugres
66.2 km
Saint-Pierre church
41.5 km
Firminy Vert
41.6 km
Château de Fléchères
51.6 km
Pilat Regional Natural Park
49 km
Unité d'habitation in Firminy-Vert
42.1 km
Safari de Peaugres Circuit Piéton
65.6 km
Saint-Étienne Mine Museum
37 km
Pierre-sur-Haute
34.2 km
Espace zoologique de Saint-Martin-la-Plaine
36.1 km
Château de Montmelas
42 km
Château de la Roche
18.5 km
Mount Brouilly
51.7 km
Castle of La Bastie d'Urfé
11.7 km
Zénith de Saint-Étienne Métropole
35.8 km
Mont Saint-Rigaud
54.5 km
Saint-Étienne Cathedral
37 km
Château de La Chaize
49 km
Charlieu Abbey
45.2 km
Château d'Essalois
32.5 km
Lac de Villerest
29.2 kmarrondissement of Saint-Étienne
arrondissement of Roanne
Saint-Chamond
Combre
Commelle-Vernay
Çaloire
Saint-Bonnet-des-Quarts
La Ricamarie
Périgneux
Veauchette
Montverdun
Neaux
Mably
Belleroche
Balbigny
Renaison
Chambles
Saint-Jean-la-Vêtre
Rive-de-Gier
Marclopt
Perreux
Cherier
Savigneux
Le Cergne
Les Salles
Vougy
Poncins
Saint-Cyr-de-Valorges
Saint-Laurent-Rochefort
La Côte-en-Couzan
Le Bessat
Villars
Saint-Priest-en-Jarez
La Grand-Croix
Saint-Jean-Bonnefonds
La Chapelle-en-Lafaye
Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire
Saint-Sixte
Saint-Léger-sur-Roanne
Saint-Paul-de-Vézelin
Vivans
La Valla-en-Gier
La Tour-en-Jarez
Tarentaise
Saint-Martin-Lestra
Unieux
Villerest
Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert
Saint-Genest-Malifaux
Saint-Hilaire-Cusson-la-Valmitte
Écotay-l'Olme
Riorges
Régny
Roche-la-Molière
Sainte-Agathe-la-Bouteresse
Rozier-en-Donzy
Lérigneux
Saint-Denis-sur-Coise
Saint-Germain-Lespinasse
Parigny
Précieux
Saint-Georges-en-Couzan
Marlhes
Pinay
Montrond-les-Bains
Saint-Genest-Lerpt
Planfoy
Juré
Débats-Rivière-d'Orpra
Neulise
Cuzieu
La Tourette
Le Coteau
Châtelus
Jonzieux
Genilac
Chalmazel
La Talaudière
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