Loire

The Loire department is in southeastern France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and its capital is Saint-Étienne, a city with a strong industrial and mining past. This department is the birthplace of the Loire river (France's longest river), though the department's name should not be confused with the famous Loire Valley in the west of the country; in fact, this department lies upstream on the same river. Its economy combines traditional industries (arms manufacturing, bicycle-making, and formerly coal mining) and, in recent years, technology and design (Saint-Étienne is known as a UNESCO City of Design). The cost of living in this department is lower than in Lyon, while it is about 45 minutes from Lyon by train.

Saint-Étienne, Roanne, Saint-Chamond

• Université Jean Monnet Saint-Étienne
• École Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Saint-Étienne (ENISE)

Saint-Étienne is a medium-sized industrial-student city; some neighborhoods are entirely calm and family-friendly, while others (especially around the station and very low-cost areas) can be busier and somewhat more sensitive. Roanne and smaller towns are usually calmer. As always, choosing the right neighborhood and being careful about traveling at night matters.

The departmental transport network includes STAS trams and buses in Saint-Étienne and TER trains to Lyon, Clermont, Roanne and others. It's easy to get around the city without a car.