Nièvre

Nièvre is a department in central France, belonging to the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. It is named after the Nièvre river, and its prefecture is Nevers. The department covers a predominantly rural landscape that includes part of the Morvan massif and the western Loire valley. The Loire river forms part of its western boundary, while the interior features forested hills and small towns. The Parc naturel régional du Morvan extends into Nièvre, highlighting the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

Administratively, Nièvre is divided into four arrondissements: Nevers, Château-Chinon, Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire, and Decize. It comprises numerous communes, with notable towns including Nevers, La Charité-sur-Loire, Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire, Château-Chinon, and Decize.

Population and economy give a picture of a sparsely populated, rural department. It has around two hundred thousand residents. The economy is driven by agriculture (notably cereals and livestock), forestry, and light industry, with tourism supported by historic towns, river landscapes, and natural areas. Nevers is also known for its historic pottery industry, particularly the Nevers ware (faience).

History and governance: Nièvre was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution, as one of the original departments. It sits within the historic Burgundy region and preserves a range of medieval sites, abbeys, and castles. In modern times, the department has balanced agricultural and cultural activities with efforts to maintain rural livelihoods and natural heritage.