arrondissement of the department of the Loire, in France, extending over 815 square miles. It comprehends nine cantons, which are divided into 139 communes, and contain 105,500 inhabitants. The capital of the arrondissement, as well as of the department, is a city of the same name, situated on the river Bizey, a small stream which joins the Loire. It is an ill-built town, with narrow and crooked streets, and contains four churches, 880 houses, and 4800 inhabitants. The chief occupation is making cotton goods and paper hangings.

Long. 3° 57'. E. Lat. 45° 32'. N.