Loire, Department in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.
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.
The territory took shape in 1793 when revolutionary administrators divided a larger region into separate units. Administrative responsibilities shifted over time among three towns.
The department maintains strong industrial traditions from mining and metallurgy while preserving natural spaces across the Forez Plain and surrounding mountain ranges.
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.
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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