Stretched along the river of the same name, the Loire is a green and charming department which shelters villages of character, castles and museums. The Loire also offers us typical flavors, both salty and sweet, which can be washed down with a fine range of local wines and excellent mineral waters. The winning quartet of the tourist jewels of this territory is, in order, thezoological space of Saint-Martin-la-Plaine, the castle of Bouthéon, followed by the museum of the Mine of Saint-Étienne and the winter sports resort of Chalmazel. This territory spreads out from north to south in four distinct regions: the Roannais with its rich heritage, the Forez with its mountains and ponds, Saint-Etienne, capital of design and its region which is home to the Badoit springs, and the Pilat regional natural park rich in greenery, panoramas and vineyards. We can add the mounts of Lyonnais in the south-east, with its mild climate. It is thus a great diversity of landscapes, from the north of Roannais which evokes Burgundy, to the south-east of the department, on the edge of the Rhone, with a climate that is already a little bit Provencal, passing through the mountains or along the Loire. So many landscapes and ecosystems in one department! And to take advantage of it, depending on the season, come with your hiking boots, with your downhill or cross-country skis, or even by bike to pedal on the viaRhôna.

What to visit Loire?

When to go to Loire?

This department offers so many different regions and climates that there is something for everyone all year round. Summer is the peak tourist season with good weather, village festivals and the possibility of hiking in altitude to escape the heat wave. Springtime suits the landscape, and autumn also makes the forests blaze. If the zoo of Saint-Martin-la-Plaine, the castle of Bouthéon and the museum of the Mine of Saint-Étienne are open to the public all year long, for the ski resort of Chalmazel, of course, it is necessary to wait for the winter.

Horse racing enthusiasts can plan their visit for the end of the horse racing season in Feurs, at the end of October, with the famous "Chantilly du Forez" race, from the nickname of the ancestral racecourse of Feurs. Others will prefer to enjoy the Christmas village, in the old center of Feurs. As for the International Design Biennial of Saint-Etienne, it takes place in odd years, during one month in April/May.

Weather at the moment

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Weather all year round

While the climate of the Loire department is of a semi-continental type, the contrasts in altitude, exposure of the slopes and the stretching in latitude, from north to south, induce significant nuances. The temperatures and rainfall can be divided into medium mountain areas, plains and the Rhône side. On average, temperatures range from 2/8°C day and night in January/February to 15/26°C in July/August.

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Pictures and images Loire

Vue de Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône PHOVOIR
La cathédrale Saint-Charles sur la place Jean-Jaurès HERRENECK - FOTOLIA
Vue de Colombier, dans le parc naturel régional du Pilat PHOVOIR
La Loire PHOVOIR

Discover Loire

When to travel?

This department offers so many different regions and climates that there is something for everyone all year round. Su...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

While the climate of the Loire department is of a semi-continental type, the contrasts in altitude, exposure of the s...
Read more about it

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