Roanne

Roanne, a town of France (dept. Loire), 52 miles by rail NW. of Lyons, stands on the left bank of the Loire, which becomes navigable here, and is crossed by a stone bridge (1820). The principal church is St Stephen's (15th to 17th century). Roanne has besides an old castle with antiquarian collections, a new hôtel-de-ville with a museum, some manufactures, and a large transit trade, especially in Lyons manufactures, in iron and coal, and oriental wares. Pop. (1872) 18,615; (1891) 30,996.