SaintNazaire

Saint-Nazaire is a commune and port town in the Loire-Atlantique department in the Pays de la Loire region of western France. It sits at the mouth of the Loire River on the Atlantic coast and forms the western part of the Nantes metropolitan area. The population is around 70,000, with a larger urban area extending beyond the city limits.

Historically a fishing and trading port, Saint-Nazaire became a major shipbuilding center in the 19th and 20th centuries, home to the Chantiers de l'Atlantique yard. The yard built ocean liners, cruise ships, and offshore platforms. In World War II, the 1942 Operation Chariot raid destroyed the dry dock to hinder German war production; the raid inflicted heavy casualties, and the town was liberated in 1944.

The port remains a major commercial and industrial hub, anchored by shipbuilding and related industries. The economy is complemented by logistics, services, and maritime activities. Saint-Nazaire is connected by road and rail to Nantes and the wider region, and benefits from its maritime heritage for tourism.

The city preserves its maritime heritage through museums, monuments, and preserved industrial architecture. Waterfront promenades, a historic harbor, and nearby beaches contribute to its regional identity and attract visitors. Saint-Nazaire also hosts cultural events and sporting activities that reflect its long association with the sea and heavy industry.