Loire

Loire commonly refers to the Loire River, the longest river in France. It runs for about 1,006 kilometers, rising at Mont Gerbier de Jonc in the Massif Central and flowing generally north to the Atlantic Ocean, where it forms the Loire estuary near Saint-Nazaire and Nantes.

Along its course the river traverses or borders several major regions, including Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Centre-Val de Loire, and Pays de la Loire. It passes notable towns such as Orléans, Blois, Tours, and Angers, with the estuary near Nantes. The Loire Valley that follows the river is famed for its landscape, historic towns, and a concentration of châteaux.

The Loire Valley was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 for its culturally significant landscape of riverside châteaux, gardens, and settlements that reflect centuries of architectural and agricultural development. Notable châteaux associated with the valley include Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, Blois, Cheverny, and Saumur, among others. The region is also a major center of wine production, yielding Muscadet along the western reaches and various wines of Anjou-Saumur and Touraine, including Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé nearby.

Economically, the Loire supports navigation, irrigation, and hydroelectric power, with numerous locks and infrastructure along its length. The river and its valley attract tourism, agriculture, and viticulture, underscoring its cultural and functional importance in central France.

Loire also names a French department (department 42) with its prefecture at Saint-Étienne, located in the central part of the country within the broader historical and cultural context of the region.