St Etienne (Loire - Rhone Alps)

Saint-Étienne in the Massif Central, is a city in the central eastern part of France, 60 km southwest of Lyon. It is the capital of the département of the Loire in the Rhone Alps which is not to be confused with the Loire Valley.

St Etienne (Loire - Rhone Alps) mini guide

Saint Étienne is set in some of the most stunning countryside that France has to offer. Snow covered mountain peaks in the distance compete with lush green valleys, lakes and rivers.

The ancient parts of the city have some fascinating and very beautiful half timbered sixteenth century houses. The old quarter of St Jacques is especially lovely, as is La Place du Peuple. There are a lots of restaurants and bars in which to eat and drink.

The city is the home of the Musée d'Art Moderne which has one of the finest collections of Modern Art in the world. It is surpassed only by the equivalent museum in Paris and New York's MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) in terms of content.

The Musée de la Mine is one of the most interesting museums in St Etienne, it is set on the site of the largest mine from the 20th century. You can take a trip down the mine shaft and see what it's like to work in a mine. The exhibition follows the footsteps of a miner from the miners cloakroom, to the pit-head frame cages and on to the lampstore. There are also many other exhibitions where you can learn everything there is to know about mining.

One of the sights not to be missed when in St Etienne is the Notre Dame Church. This beautiful church dates back to the 18th century, and the Jesuit style facade dates back to the 19th century. Inside the church there is a pulpit sculpted by Claude Desire; a thorn from Jesus' Crown, and an autographed letter from Saint Louis.

St. Étienne used to be the capital of the French bicycle industry and the city often hosts a stage of the Tour de France.

Guide point	Details
Department:	The Rhone Alps (SE France) > Rhone Alps > Loire >
Location:	Located in the Massif Central, in the central eastern part of France
Public Transport:	Served by an airport and the TGV train system, (2 hrs 50 mins from Paris), St Etienne is also noted for its tram system. Both bus and tram transport is regulated and provided by the STAS, a public transport organisation.
Tourist information website:	www.tourisme-st-etienne.com/site_ang/index.htm
Tourist information contact email:	information@tourisme-st-etienne.com
Tourist information switch board number:	+ 33 (0)8 92 70 05 42
Tourist information address:	16 avenue de la Libération, 42 029 St Etienne, Cedex 1, France
Quick links to accommodation:	Accommodation near St Etienne (Loire - Rhone Alps) - Hotels in St Etienne (Loire - Rhone Alps) Show accommodation in Loire - Self catering in Loire - Bed and Breakfast in Loire properties with pools in Loire -