Stretching along the river of the same name, the Loire is a green and charming department that houses villages of character, castles and museums. The Loire also offers us typical flavours, both salty and sweet, which can be served with a wide range of local wines and excellent mineral waters. The winning quartet of the tourist jewels of this territory is, in order, the zoological area of Saint-Martin-la-Plaine, the castle of Bouthéon, followed by the Saint-Étienne Mine Museum and the Chalmazel winter sports resort. This territory stretches from north to south in four distinct regions: Roannais with its rich heritage, Forez with its mountain and ponds, Saint-Étienne, capital of design and its region which shelters the Badoit springs, and the Pilat regional natural park with its greenery, its panoramas and its vineyards. We can add the hills of Lyonnais to the south-east, with a 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 banks of the Rhône, with an already slightly Provençal climate, passing through the mountains or along the Loire. So many landscapes and ecosystems for one department! And to enjoy it, depending on the season, come with your hiking boots, your downhill or cross-country skis, or even by bike to pedal on the viaRhôna
This department offers so many different regions and climates that you can find something to suit you all year round. Summer is the peak tourist season with good weather, village festivals and the possibility of hiking to escape the heat wave. Spring suits the landscape, but autumn also brings fire to the forests. If the Saint-Martin-la-Plaine zoo, the Château de Bouthéon and the Musée de la Mine de Saint-Étienne are open to the public all year round, for the Chalmazel ski resort, of course, it is winter
Horse racing enthusiasts can plan their visit for the end of the Feurs horse racing season at the end of October with the famous "Chantilly du Forez" race, nicknamed after the ancestral Feurs racecourse. Others will prefer to enjoy the Christmas village, in the old centre of Feurs. As for the Saint-Étienne International Design Biennale, it takes place in odd years, during one month in April/May.
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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This department offers so many different regions and climates that you can find something to suit you all year round....
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While the climate of the Loire department is of a semi-continental type, the contrasts in altitude, exposure of the s...
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Every week, you can find Stéphan Szeremeta, the editorial director of Le Petit Futé, in Philippe David's morning show on Sud Radio for weekend and holiday ideas. On Saturday mornings, we have ideas for France and on Sundays we dream again of destinations abroad. Whether you are into nature, culture, festivities, whether you are looking for the unusual or the great classics revisited, you will find your happiness Here are a few ideas in ...
A few long weekends are coming up with the arrival of the month of May. What if this was the time to go with family or friends to a place in France that you like or that you want to discover? With its vineyards, its varied landscapes, sea, mountain and its remarkable heritage, the Hexagon offers a multitude of possibilities and reveals destinations that correspond to all profiles. From North to South and from East to West, here are 10 ...
Saint-Etienne and design has a long and ever-growing history. In 2010, Saint-Étienne joined Montreal, Shanghai, Berlin, Seoul and Buenos Aires in the prestigious circle of cities designated by UNESCO as "Creative City of Design". This title refers to the role it played in France during the industrial revolution, but also to its infrastructures, its development, the events held there and its dynamism. What if an urban stroll in ...
The photographer from Saint-Martin la Plaine, Sylvain Rolhion, wishes to help the Zoo of Saint-Martin la Plaine by selling his works. The animals and those who care for them on a daily basis need support in this very particular period of generalized confinement. The visitors and the very numerous children usually at this time bring this animal park to life. The animal cause is still as important as ever and the team needs us. His 4 numbered ...
