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Coordinates: 47°55′N 02°10′E / 47.917°N 2.167°E / 47.917; 2.167
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⚫
{{distinguish|text=[[Loire (department)]], a department in east-central France}}
{{short description|Department in Centre-Val de Loire, France}}
{{short description|Department in Centre-Val de Loire, France}}
⚫
{{distinguish|text=[[Loire (department)]], a department in east-central France}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Loiret
| name = Loiret
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| native_name_lang = fr<!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| native_name_lang = fr<!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| type = [[Departments of France|Department of France]]
| type = [[Departments of France|Department of France]]
| image_skyline = PA45000024 Préfecture d'Orléans (1).jpg
| image_skyline = Hôtel Préfecture Loiret - Orléans (FR45) - 2022-07-16 - 2.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = [[Prefectures in France|Prefecture]] building in [[Orléans]]
| image_caption = [[Prefectures in France|Prefecture]] building in [[Orléans]]
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| coor_pinpoint =
| coor_pinpoint =
| coordinates_footnotes =
| coordinates_footnotes =
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[France]]
| subdivision_name = France
| subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of France|Region]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of France|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Centre-Val de Loire]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Centre-Val de Loire]]
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| leader_party = [[Union of Democrats and Independents|UDI]]
| leader_party = [[Union of Democrats and Independents|UDI]]
| leader_title = [[List of presidents of departmental councils (France)|President of the Departmental Council]]
| leader_title = [[List of presidents of departmental councils (France)|President of the Departmental Council]]
| leader_name = Marc Gaudet<ref>{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les conseillers départementaux|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/601ef073-d986-4582-8e1a-ed14dc857fba|website=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=4 May 2022|language=fr}}</ref>
| leader_name = Marc Gaudet
| unit_pref = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| unit_pref = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| area_magnitude =
| area_magnitude =
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| elevation_min_m =
| elevation_min_m =
| elevation_max_m =
| elevation_max_m =
| population_total = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}}
| population_footnotes =
| population_as_of = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}
| population_total = 674330
| population_footnotes = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes2}}
| population_as_of = 2016
| population_rank = [[List of French departments by population|35th]]
| population_rank = [[List of French departments by population|37th]]
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_demonym =
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}}
}}


'''Loiret''' ({{IPAc-en|l|w|ɑː|ˈ|r|eɪ}};<ref>{{Cite Dictionary.com|Loiret|access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref> {{IPA-fr|lwaʁɛ|lang}}) is a [[Departments of France|department]] in the [[Centre-Val de Loire]] [[Regions of France|region]] of north-central [[France]]. It takes its name from the [[Loiret (river)|Loiret]] (a left-bank tributary of the river [[Loire]]), which is located wholly within the department. In 2016, Loiret had a population of 674,330.
'''Loiret''' ({{IPAc-en|l|w|ɑː|ˈ|r|eɪ}};<ref>{{Cite Dictionary.com|Loiret|access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref> {{IPA-fr|lwaʁɛ|lang}}) is a [[Departments of France|department]] in the [[Centre-Val de Loire]] [[Regions of France|region]] of north-central France. It takes its name from the river [[Loiret (river)|Loiret]], which is contained wholly within the department. In 2019, Loiret had a population of 680,434.<ref name=pop2019>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/fichier/6011060/dep45.pdf Populations légales 2019: 45 Loiret], INSEE</ref>


Its [[Prefectures in France|prefecture]] is [[Orléans]], which is about {{convert|110|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} southwest of [[Paris]]. As well as being the regional prefecture, it is a historic city on the banks of the Loire. It has a large central area with many historic buildings and mansions. [[Orléans Cathedral]], dating back to the 13th century, was rebuilt after [[Huguenots|Protestant forces]] destroyed it in 1568. Loiret has two [[Subprefectures in France|subprefectures]], in [[Montargis]] and [[Pithiviers]]. It is famous for its several [[château]]x.
Its [[Prefectures in France|prefecture]] is [[Orléans]], which is about {{convert|110|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} southwest of Paris. As well as being the regional prefecture, it is a historic city on the banks of the Loire. It has a large central area with many historic buildings and mansions. [[Orléans Cathedral]], dating back to the 13th century, was rebuilt after [[Huguenots|Protestant forces]] destroyed it in 1568. Loiret has two [[Subprefectures in France|subprefectures]], in [[Montargis]] and [[Pithiviers]]. It is famous for its several [[château]]x.


==History==
==History==

⚫
{{historical populations|13=1801|14=286,050|15=1806|16=285,315|17=1821|18=291,294|19=1831|20=305,276|21=1841|22=318,452|23=1851|24=341,029|25=1861|26=352,757|27=1872|28=353,021|29=1881|30=368,526|31=1891|32=377,718|33=1901|34=366,660|35=1911|36=364,061|37=1921|38=337,224|39=1931|40=342,679|41=1936|42=343,865|43=1946|44=346,918|45=1954|46=360,523|47=1962|48=389,854|49=1968|50=430,629|51=1975|52=490,189|53=1982|54=535,669|55=1990|56=580,612|57=1999|58=618,126|59=2006|60=645,324|61=2016|62=674,330|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>[http://splaf.free.fr/ Site sur la Population et les Limites Administratives de la France]</ref>}}Loiret is one of the original 83 departments that was created during the [[French Revolution]] on March 4, 1790 by order of the [[National Constituent Assembly (France)|National Constituent Assembly]]. The new departments were to be uniformly administered and approximately equal to one another in size and population.
Loiret is one of the original 83 departments that was created during the [[French Revolution]] on March 4, 1790, by order of the [[National Constituent Assembly (France)|National Constituent Assembly]]. The new departments were to be uniformly administered and approximately equal to one another in size and population.
It was created from the former province of [[Orléanais]] which was too large to continue in its previous form.<ref>{{cite book|author=Schama, Simon |title=Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution |location=New York |publisher=Knopf |year=1989}}</ref>
It was created from the former province of [[Orléanais]] which was too large to continue in its previous form.<ref>{{cite book|author=Schama, Simon |title=Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution |location=New York |publisher=Knopf |year=1989}}</ref>


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The department of Loiret was historically in the province of Orléans in north central France, and along with the departments of [[Loir-et-Cher]] and [[Eure-et-Loir]] now forms the region [[Centre-Val de Loire]]. To the north of Loiret lie the departments of Eure-et-Loir, [[Essonne]] and [[Seine-et-Marne]], to the east lies [[Yonne]], to the southeast [[Nièvre]], to the south [[Cher (département)|Cher]], and to the west [[Loir-et-Cher]].<ref name=Philips>{{cite book |title=Philips' Modern School Atlas |year=1973 |publisher=George Philip and Son, Ltd. |isbn=0-540-05278-7 |pages=42–43 }}</ref>
The department of Loiret was historically in the province of Orléans in north central France, and along with the departments of [[Loir-et-Cher]] and [[Eure-et-Loir]] now forms the region [[Centre-Val de Loire]]. To the north of Loiret lie the departments of Eure-et-Loir, [[Essonne]] and [[Seine-et-Marne]], to the east lies [[Yonne]], to the southeast [[Nièvre]], to the south [[Cher (département)|Cher]], and to the west [[Loir-et-Cher]].<ref name=Philips>{{cite book |title=Philips' Modern School Atlas |year=1973 |publisher=George Philip and Son, Ltd. |isbn=0-540-05278-7 |pages=42–43 }}</ref>


The department consists of mostly flat low-lying land through which flows the [[River Loire]]. This river enters the department near [[Châtillon-sur-Loire]] in the southeast, flows northwestwards to Orleans where it turns to flow south west, leaving the department near [[Beaugency]].<ref name=Philips/> The [[Canal d'Orléans]] connects the Loire River at Orléans to a junction with the [[Canal du Loing]] and the [[Canal de Briare]] in the village of [[Buges]] near [[Montargis]]. The River Loire and these canals formed important trading routes before the arrival of the railways.<ref>{{cite book | title = Loire Nivernais Waterways Guide 02 | year = 2010 | publisher = Editions Du Breil | isbn = 978-2-913120-00-6}}</ref> The [[River Loiret]], after which the department is named, is {{convert|12|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long and joins the Loire southwest of Orléans. Its source is at Orléans-la-Source, and its mouth at [[Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Mesmin]]. Other rivers in the department, are the [[River Loing]], a right-bank tributary of the Loire, and the [[Ouanne (river)|River Ouanne]] which flows into the Loing.<ref name=Philips/>
The department consists of mostly flat low-lying land through which flows the river [[Loire]]. This river enters the department near [[Châtillon-sur-Loire]] in the southeast, flows northwestwards to Orleans where it turns to flow south west, leaving the department near [[Beaugency]].<ref name=Philips/> The [[Canal d'Orléans]] connects the Loire at Orléans to a junction with the [[Canal du Loing]] and the [[Canal de Briare]] in the village of [[Buges]] near [[Montargis]]. The Loire and these canals formed important trading routes before the arrival of the railways.<ref>{{cite book | title = Loire Nivernais Waterways Guide 02 | year = 2010 | publisher = Editions Du Breil | isbn = 978-2-913120-00-6}}</ref> The river [[Loiret (river)|Loiret]], after which the department is named, is {{convert|12|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long and joins the Loire southwest of Orléans. Its source is at Orléans-la-Source, and its mouth at [[Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Mesmin]]. Other rivers in the department, are the [[Loing]], a right-bank tributary of the Loire, and the [[Ouanne (river)|Ouanne]] which flows into the Loing.<ref name=Philips/>


The department has a total area of {{convert|6757|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}} and is {{convert|119|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from west to east and {{convert|77|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from north to south. Large parts of the land are used for agriculture, and these are separated by low wooded hills and some forested areas.<ref name=Dictionary/> The northwestern part of the department is in the wheat-growing region known as [[Beauce, France|Beauce]], an undulating plateau with some of France's best agricultural land.<ref name=Centre>{{cite web |url=http://about-france.com/regions/region-centre.htm |title=The Centre region of France |publisher=About-France.com |access-date=27 September 2015}}</ref> This area was popular with the French aristocracy in the [[Middle Ages]] and [[the Renaissance]] period, and there are many historic [[château]]x in the department including [[Château d'Augerville]], [[Château de Bellegarde (Loiret)|Château de Bellegarde]], [[Château de Gien]], [[Château du Hallier]], [[Château de Meung-sur-Loire]], [[Château de Sully-sur-Loire]] and [[Château de Trousse-Barrière]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Mesqui | first = Jean | title = Chateaux-forts et fortifications en France | publisher = Flammarion | year = 1997 | location = Paris | isbn = 2-08-012271-1 | page = [https://archive.org/details/chateauxfortsetf00mesq/page/493 493] | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/chateauxfortsetf00mesq/page/493 }}</ref>
The department has a total area of {{convert|6757|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}} and is {{convert|119|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from west to east and {{convert|77|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from north to south. Large parts of the land are used for agriculture, and these are separated by low wooded hills and some forested areas.<ref name=Dictionary/> The northwestern part of the department is in the wheat-growing region known as [[Beauce, France|Beauce]], an undulating plateau with some of France's best agricultural land.<ref name=Centre>{{cite web |url=http://about-france.com/regions/region-centre.htm |title=The Centre region of France |publisher=About-France.com |access-date=27 September 2015}}</ref> This area was popular with the French aristocracy in the [[Middle Ages]] and [[the Renaissance]] period, and there are many historic [[château]]x in the department including [[Château d'Augerville]], [[Château de Bellegarde (Loiret)|Château de Bellegarde]], [[Château de Gien]], [[Château du Hallier]], [[Château de Meung-sur-Loire]], [[Château de Sully-sur-Loire]] and [[Château de Trousse-Barrière]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Mesqui | first = Jean | title = Chateaux-forts et fortifications en France | publisher = Flammarion | year = 1997 | location = Paris | isbn = 2-08-012271-1 | page = [https://archive.org/details/chateauxfortsetf00mesq/page/493 493] | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/chateauxfortsetf00mesq/page/493 }}</ref>


The part of the department south of the River Loire is known as the [[Sologne]] and is an area of heathland and marshland, interspersed by hills where vines are grown.<ref name=Dictionary>{{cite book|title=Comprehensive Dictionary of the World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RTfu1nRKGq4C&pg=PA612 |year=1992 |publisher=Mittal Publications |page=612 |id=GGKEY:RC6C27C4NE1}}</ref> The eastern part of the department is known as [[Gâtinais]] and was part of a province of that name. Until the beginning of the 21st century, it used to be renowned for the production of [[saffron]], but the crop could not be mechanised, and production dwindled as the cost of production became too high.<ref>{{cite book|author=Toussaint-Samat, Maguelonne |title=A History of Food|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QmevzbQ0AsIC&pg=PA469|year=2009 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-4443-0514-2 |page=469}}</ref>
The part of the department south of the Loire is known as the [[Sologne]] and is an area of heathland and marshland, interspersed by hills where vines are grown.<ref name=Dictionary>{{cite book|title=Comprehensive Dictionary of the World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RTfu1nRKGq4C&pg=PA612 |year=1992 |publisher=Mittal Publications |page=612 |id=GGKEY:RC6C27C4NE1}}</ref> The eastern part of the department is known as [[Gâtinais]] and was part of a province of that name. Until the beginning of the 21st century, it used to be renowned for the production of [[saffron]], but the crop could not be mechanised, and production dwindled as the cost of production became too high.<ref>{{cite book|author=Toussaint-Samat, Maguelonne |title=A History of Food|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QmevzbQ0AsIC&pg=PA469|year=2009 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-4443-0514-2 |page=469}}</ref>

==Demography==

{{historical populations|align=none|cols=2|percentages=pagr|footnote=Sources:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://splaf.free.fr/45his.html|title=Historique du Loiret|website=Le SPLAF}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4176909?geo=DEP-45|title=Évolution et structure de la population en 2016|publisher=INSEE}}</ref>|graph-pos=bottom
⚫
|13=1801|14=286,050|15=1806|16=285,315|17=1821|18=291,294|19=1831|20=305,276|21=1841|22=318,452|23=1851|24=341,029|25=1861|26=352,757|27=1872|28=353,021|29=1881|30=368,526|31=1891|32=377,718|33=1901|34=366,660|35=1911|36=364,061|37=1921|38=337,224|39=1931|40=342,679|41=1936|42=343,865|43=1946|44=346,918|45=1954|46=360,523|47=1962|48=389,854|49=1968|50=430,629|51=1975|52=490,189|53=1982|54=535,669|55=1990|56=580,612|57=1999|58=618,126|59=2006|60=645,324|61=2011|62=659,587|63=2016|64=674,330|65=2020|66=682,304}}

===Principal towns===

The most populous commune is [[Orléans]], the prefecture. As of 2019, there are 6 communes with more than 15,000 inhabitants, all of which are part of the [[urban unit|agglomeration]] of Orléans:<ref name=pop2019/><ref>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/cog/unite-urbaine/UU202045701-orleans Unité urbaine 2020 d'Orléans (45701)], INSEE</ref>

{| class=wikitable
! Commune
! Population (2019)
|-
| [[Orléans]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 116,269
|-
| [[Olivet, Loiret|Olivet]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 22,386
|-
| [[Saint-Jean-de-Braye]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 21,288
|-
| [[Fleury-les-Aubrais]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 21,010
|-
| [[Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 16,411
|-
| [[Saran, Loiret|Saran]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 16,357
|}


==Economy==
==Economy==
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==Politics==
==Politics==
{{See also|Departmental Council of Loiret}}
The [[List of presidents of departmental councils (France)|president of the Departmental Council]] is Marc Gaudet, elected in 2017.


===Current National Assembly Representatives===
===Current National Assembly Representatives===
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
!colspan="2"|Constituency!!Member<ref>http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/</ref>!!Party
!colspan="2"|Constituency!!Member<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/|title=Assemblée nationale ~ Les députés, le vote de la loi, le Parlement français|first=Assemblée|last=Nationale|website=Assemblée nationale}}</ref>!!Party
|-
|-
|style="background-color: {{En Marche!/meta/color}}" |
|style="background-color: {{party color|En Marche!}}" |
| [[Loiret's 1st constituency]]
| [[Loiret's 1st constituency]]
| [[Stéphanie Rist]]
| [[Stéphanie Rist]]
| [[La République En Marche!]]
| [[La République En Marche!]]
|-
|-
|style="background-color: {{En Marche!/meta/color}}" |
|style="background-color: {{party color|En Marche!}}" |
| [[Loiret's 2nd constituency]]
| [[Loiret's 2nd constituency]]
| [[Caroline Janvier]]
| [[Caroline Janvier]]
| [[La République En Marche!]]
| [[La République En Marche!]]
|-
|-
|style="background-color: {{The Republicans (France)/meta/color}}" |
|style="background-color: {{party color|National Rally}}" |
| [[Loiret's 3rd constituency]]
| [[Loiret's 3rd constituency]]
| [[Claude de Ganay]]
| [[Mathilde Paris]]
| [[National Rally]]
| [[The Republicans (France)|The Republicans]]
|-
|-
|style="background-color: {{The Republicans (France)/meta/color}}" |
|style="background-color: {{party color|National Rally}}" |
| [[Loiret's 4th constituency]]
| [[Loiret's 4th constituency]]
| [[Jean-Pierre Door]]
| [[Thomas Ménagé]]
| [[National Rally]]
| [[The Republicans (France)|The Republicans]]
|-
|-
|style="background-color: {{The Republicans (France)/meta/color}}" |
|style="background-color: {{party color|En Marche!}}" |
| [[Loiret's 5th constituency]]
| [[Loiret's 5th constituency]]
| [[Marianne Dubois]]
| [[Anthony Brosse]]
| [[La République En Marche]]
| [[The Republicans (France)|The Republicans]]
|-
|-
|style="background-color: {{Democratic Movement (France)/meta/color}}" |
|style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Movement (France)}}" |
| [[Loiret's 6th constituency]]
| [[Loiret's 6th constituency]]
| [[Richard Ramos]]
| [[Richard Ramos]]
| [[Democratic Movement (France)|MoDem]]
| [[Democratic Movement (France)|MoDem]]
|}
|}



==Transport==
==Transport==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Commons}}
*[http://www.loiret.pref.gouv.fr Prefecture website] {{in lang|fr}}
*[https://www.loiret.gouv.fr/ Prefecture website] {{in lang|fr}}
*[http://www.loiret.com General Council website] {{in lang|fr}}
*[https://www.loiret.fr/ Departmental Council website] {{in lang|fr}}
<!-- please keep this link: Dmoz page holds a Wikipedia back link -->
<!-- please keep this link: Dmoz page holds a Wikipedia back link -->
*{{ODP|Regional/Europe/France/Regions/Centre/Loiret|Loiret}} {{in lang|en}}
*{{Curlie|Regional/Europe/France/Regions/Centre/Loiret|Loiret}} {{in lang|en}}


{{Departments of France}}
{{Departments of France}}

Latest revision as of 06:40, 14 February 2024

Not to be confused with Loire (department), a department in east-central France.
Loiret
Department of France
Prefecture building in Orléans
Prefecture building in Orléans
Flag of Loiret
Flag
Coat of arms of Loiret
Coat of arms
Location of Loiret in France
Location of Loiret in France
Coordinates: 47°55′N 02°10′E / 47.917°N 2.167°E / 47.917; 2.167
CountryFrance
RegionCentre-Val de Loire
PrefectureOrléans
SubprefecturesMontargis
Pithiviers
Government
 • President of the Departmental CouncilMarc Gaudet[1] (UDI)
Area
1
 • Total6,775 km2 (2,616 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
 • Total684,561
 • Rank37th
 • Density100/km2 (260/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Department number45
Arrondissements3
Cantons21
Communes325
^1 French Land Register data, which exclude estuaries and lakes, ponds and glaciers larger than 1 km2

Loiret (/lwɑːˈreɪ/;[3] French: [lwaʁɛ]) is a department in the Centre-Val de Loire region of north-central France. It takes its name from the river Loiret, which is contained wholly within the department. In 2019, Loiret had a population of 680,434.[4]

Its prefecture is Orléans, which is about 110 km (68 mi) southwest of Paris. As well as being the regional prefecture, it is a historic city on the banks of the Loire. It has a large central area with many historic buildings and mansions. Orléans Cathedral, dating back to the 13th century, was rebuilt after Protestant forces destroyed it in 1568. Loiret has two subprefectures, in Montargis and Pithiviers. It is famous for its several châteaux.

History[edit]

Loiret is one of the original 83 departments that was created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790, by order of the National Constituent Assembly. The new departments were to be uniformly administered and approximately equal to one another in size and population. It was created from the former province of Orléanais which was too large to continue in its previous form.[5]

The Loire Valley was occupied in Palaeolithic times as attested by numerous archaeological sites in the department. The Celts were here, bringing crafts and trades, and the Romans occupied the area after the Gallic Wars. They built roads and founded cities such as Cenabum, on the site of present-day Orléans, and Sceaux-du-Gâtinais. Around 451, the Huns invaded the region but were repelled before reaching Cenabum. The Franks reached the Loire and Clovis I reigned in the area. A time of peace and prosperity ensued during the reign of Charlemagne.[6]

Geography[edit]

The department of Loiret was historically in the province of Orléans in north central France, and along with the departments of Loir-et-Cher and Eure-et-Loir now forms the region Centre-Val de Loire. To the north of Loiret lie the departments of Eure-et-Loir, Essonne and Seine-et-Marne, to the east lies Yonne, to the southeast Nièvre, to the south Cher, and to the west Loir-et-Cher.[7]

The department consists of mostly flat low-lying land through which flows the river Loire. This river enters the department near Châtillon-sur-Loire in the southeast, flows northwestwards to Orleans where it turns to flow south west, leaving the department near Beaugency.[7] The Canal d'Orléans connects the Loire at Orléans to a junction with the Canal du Loing and the Canal de Briare in the village of Buges near Montargis. The Loire and these canals formed important trading routes before the arrival of the railways.[8] The river Loiret, after which the department is named, is 12 km (7 mi) long and joins the Loire southwest of Orléans. Its source is at Orléans-la-Source, and its mouth at Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Mesmin. Other rivers in the department, are the Loing, a right-bank tributary of the Loire, and the Ouanne which flows into the Loing.[7]

The department has a total area of 6,757 km2 (2,609 sq mi) and is 119 km (74 mi) from west to east and 77 km (48 mi) from north to south. Large parts of the land are used for agriculture, and these are separated by low wooded hills and some forested areas.[9] The northwestern part of the department is in the wheat-growing region known as Beauce, an undulating plateau with some of France's best agricultural land.[10] This area was popular with the French aristocracy in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period, and there are many historic châteaux in the department including Château d'Augerville, Château de Bellegarde, Château de Gien, Château du Hallier, Château de Meung-sur-Loire, Château de Sully-sur-Loire and Château de Trousse-Barrière.[11]

The part of the department south of the Loire is known as the Sologne and is an area of heathland and marshland, interspersed by hills where vines are grown.[9] The eastern part of the department is known as Gâtinais and was part of a province of that name. Until the beginning of the 21st century, it used to be renowned for the production of saffron, but the crop could not be mechanised, and production dwindled as the cost of production became too high.[12]

Demography[edit]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1801286,050—    
1806285,315−0.05%
1821291,294+0.14%
1831305,276+0.47%
1841318,452+0.42%
1851341,029+0.69%
1861352,757+0.34%
1872353,021+0.01%
1881368,526+0.48%
1891377,718+0.25%
1901366,660−0.30%
1911364,061−0.07%
1921337,224−0.76%
1931342,679+0.16%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1936343,865+0.07%
1946346,918+0.09%
1954360,523+0.48%
1962389,854+0.98%
1968430,629+1.67%
1975490,189+1.87%
1982535,669+1.28%
1990580,612+1.01%
1999618,126+0.70%
2006645,324+0.62%
2011659,587+0.44%
2016674,330+0.44%
2020682,304+0.29%
Sources:[13][14]

Principal towns[edit]

The most populous commune is Orléans, the prefecture. As of 2019, there are 6 communes with more than 15,000 inhabitants, all of which are part of the agglomeration of Orléans:[4][15]

Commune Population (2019)
Orléans 116,269
Olivet 22,386
Saint-Jean-de-Braye 21,288
Fleury-les-Aubrais 21,010
Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle 16,411
Saran 16,357

Economy[edit]

Of the 1,669,332 acres (675,555 ha) of land in the department, 975,000 acres (395,000 ha) are arable, 100,000 acres (40,000 ha) are vines, 60,000 acres (24,000 ha) are pasture, 280,000 acres (110,000 ha) are forested, 16,000 acres (6,500 ha) are plantations and orchards and 140,000 acres (57,000 ha) are unproductive moorland and heathland. The soil is in general fertile and productive; the Beauce is the main wheat-growing region, oats are widely cultivated and rye is also grown. Other crops include fruit, asparagus, saffron and herbs. Vines are cultivated and wine produced, and the area is noted for its fruit preservation. Bee-keeping also takes place and honey is produced.[9] Loiret has little industrial development, and commerce is centred about the sale of corn, timber, cattle, chestnuts, cider, honey, flour, fruits, fish, salt, saffron and wool. The only minerals extracted are stone, limestone, marl and clay.[9]

Politics[edit]

See also: Departmental Council of Loiret

The president of the Departmental Council is Marc Gaudet, elected in 2017.

Current National Assembly Representatives[edit]

Constituency Member[16] Party
Loiret's 1st constituency Stéphanie Rist La République En Marche!
Loiret's 2nd constituency Caroline Janvier La République En Marche!
Loiret's 3rd constituency Mathilde Paris National Rally
Loiret's 4th constituency Thomas Ménagé National Rally
Loiret's 5th constituency Anthony Brosse La République En Marche
Loiret's 6th constituency Richard Ramos MoDem

Transport[edit]

The department benefits from its proximity to Paris to which it has good transport links. Orléans does not yet have a TGV but is connected to Paris via fast express trains. The A71 autoroute links Paris with Orléans and Clermont-Ferrand,[10] the A10 autoroute links Paris with Orléans and Bordeaux, and the Route nationale 20 links Paris with Orléans, Limoges, Toulouse and Spain.

Tourism[edit]

Orléans is a popular tourist destination and is associated with Joan of Arc. The Cathedral of Sainte-Croix was built in the Gothic style between 1278 and 1329, destroyed by Protestant forces in 1568, and rebuilt between the 17th and 19th centuries.[17]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les conseillers départementaux". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 4 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Téléchargement du fichier d'ensemble des populations légales en 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Loiret". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  4. ^ a b Populations légales 2019: 45 Loiret, INSEE
  5. ^ Schama, Simon (1989). Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution. New York: Knopf.
  6. ^ Haine, W. Scott (2000). The History of France. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 31–35. ISBN 978-0-313-30328-9.
  7. ^ a b c Philips' Modern School Atlas. George Philip and Son, Ltd. 1973. pp. 42–43. ISBN 0-540-05278-7.
  8. ^ Loire Nivernais Waterways Guide 02. Editions Du Breil. 2010. ISBN 978-2-913120-00-6.
  9. ^ a b c d Comprehensive Dictionary of the World. Mittal Publications. 1992. p. 612. GGKEY:RC6C27C4NE1.
  10. ^ a b "The Centre region of France". About-France.com. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  11. ^ Mesqui, Jean (1997). Chateaux-forts et fortifications en France. Paris: Flammarion. p. 493. ISBN 2-08-012271-1.
  12. ^ Toussaint-Samat, Maguelonne (2009). A History of Food. John Wiley & Sons. p. 469. ISBN 978-1-4443-0514-2.
  13. ^ "Historique du Loiret". Le SPLAF.
  14. ^ "Évolution et structure de la population en 2016". INSEE.
  15. ^ Unité urbaine 2020 d'Orléans (45701), INSEE
  16. ^ Nationale, Assemblée. "Assemblée nationale ~ Les députés, le vote de la loi, le Parlement français". Assemblée nationale.
  17. ^ "Sainte-Croix Cathedral". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 17 October 2015.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Loiret.
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