The Loire River
Loire River, the longest river in France. It begins in the Cévennes mountains of southeastern France, flows northward to Orléans, then turns westward and empties into the Bay of Biscay at St. Nazaire. The total length is about 625 miles (1,000 km). Tributaries include the Maine, Vienne, Cher, and Allier rivers. The Loire valley below Orléans is a fertile agricultural region, noted for its wines. One of the most historic parts of France, the region is dotted by numerous medieval and Renaissance chateaus. Cities on or near the river, besides Orléans, include Nantes, Angers, Tours, and Blois.