Named after the river that crosses the region from north to south, the departement of Loire is located in the east of France, close to the foothills of the Alps. A hilly area, with areas of outstanding natural beauty, particularly in the Loire gorges, the region is also home to numerous picturesque and historical towns and villages, including the area's main town of St Etienne, famous for its 19th century buildings and wide selection of museums.
Starting just north of the town of St Etienne, the Loire gorges follow the path of the river through a series of spectacular valleys and canyons, providing some of the best hiking trails in the region and some of the most impressive views. As well as the natural attractions, there are also several villages on the slopes of the gorges, such as Chambles, which thanks to its unique location offers one of the best panoramic views north and south, up and down the Loire. The area is also home to several castles, mostly medieval fortresses and some only ruins. However, the Chateau d'Essalois can still be visited and from its walls you get a dizzying view down into the gorges and the Grangent Island, on which the ruins of another, older fortress still stand.
The Grangent Lake, in which the island stands, is a 28 kilometre long body of water, created as a reservoir in the 1950s. There are a number of beaches around the shoreline if you are visiting in the summer months, and a water sports centre where you can take part in canoeing, water skiing or windsurfing. You can just hire a pedalo if you prefer, while in the peak season there are organised tours on the lake and out to the island at the centre.
The centre of the region's main town of St Etienne is filled with a remarkable mix of museums, including a modern art museum with over 15,000 pieces, including works by some of the most important artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. More unusual museums include the one dedicated to mining, on the site of a former mine shaft. The visit actually takes you on a guided tour into the mine, to experience what the industry was like in its early days. Most of the buildings in St Etienne date from the 19th century, with wide open boulevards and plenty of public squares, with parks, fountains and pavement cafes; making St Etienne a very pleasant city in which to take a relaxing stroll.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Loire? Then below is a selection of gites in Loire and villas in Loire that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
