Loire, << lwahr, >> River, is the longest river in France. It is about 650 miles (1,050 kilometers) long, and it drains about a fifth of the country. The Loire rises in the Cevennes Mountains, about 4,430 feet (1,350 meters) above sea level, and flows northward to Orleans. At Orleans, it turns westward and flows through the Loire Valley, which is known for its vineyards, gardens, and chateaux (castles). At Nantes, in western France, the Loire empties into an estuary (coastal river mouth) that extends to the Bay of Biscay.
The Loire River has few dams, making it a good habitat for migrating fish, such as the Atlantic salmon. However, ships have difficulty sailing on the Loire because of occasional floods and many sandbanks. Canals connect the Loire with the Saône, Rhône, and Seine rivers. The Loire’s most important tributaries are the Allier, Cher, Indre, Maine, and Vienne rivers. The Romans called the Loire the Liger.
