a town of France, capital of an arrondissement in the department of Loire, on the left bank of the Loire, here crossed by a stone bridge, 30 miles N. of Montbrison. It is a straggling but well-built place, with broad streets and many handsome houses. The most remarkable buildings are an ancient church, public library, and college buildings. There are also a theatre, hospital, court of law, and chamber of manufactures. Muslin, calico, woollen cloth, leather, porcelain, and other articles, are made here; dyeing and boat-building are also carried on. A considerable transit trade is pursued in the manufactures of Lyons and the south-east of France, as well as in corn, wine, flour, cloth, coal, timber, &c. The Loire is navigable up as far as Roanne, and there is a good quay. By canals and railways this place is connected with the principal towns in the country. Some ancient remains have been discovered in the vicinity. Pop. (1856) 14,952.