Press kit · department 42

Loire.

Every town in the department ranked on each criterion, ready to be reused. Each town is compared with French towns of the same size tier — a market town is never measured against a major city. Free to reuse, including commercially, on the sole condition that you credit La Grande Carte with a link to this page.

8 rankings 29 towns ranked Public data · Licence Ouverte (Etalab)
Cite this page
La Grande Carte, “Press kit — Loire (42)”, https://lagrandecarte.fr/en/presse/loire-42 (accessed 15 November 2026).
<a href="https://lagrandecarte.fr/en/presse/loire-42">Loire press kit — La Grande Carte</a>
01.

Safest cities.

Low crime, rare assaults, few burglaries, downward trend — data from the French Ministry of Interior

Top-ranked in the department

TownSize tierPopulationRank in its tier · DepartmentRank in its tier · France
VillerestSmall cities5,1751 / 26168 / 1747
Saint-GalmierSmall cities5,8482 / 26182 / 1747
Saint-Marcellin-en-ForezSmall cities5,0883 / 26245 / 1747
Sury-le-ComtalSmall cities6,6514 / 26432 / 1747
Roche-la-MolièreSmall cities9,8535 / 26469 / 1747
Saint-Just-Saint-RambertSmall cities15,5796 / 26537 / 1747
Chazelles-sur-LyonSmall cities5,5077 / 26543 / 1747
VeaucheSmall cities8,9848 / 26599 / 1747
MablySmall cities7,2469 / 26601 / 1747
CoteauSmall cities6,89310 / 26640 / 1747

Lowest-ranked in the department

TownSize tierPopulationRank in its tier · DepartmentRank in its tier · France
FirminySmall cities17,12826 / 261652 / 1747
Rive-de-GierSmall cities15,45725 / 261629 / 1747
RicamarieSmall cities8,16224 / 261603 / 1747
Saint-ÉtienneLarge cities172,5691 / 147 / 53
MontbrisonSmall cities16,09823 / 261521 / 1747

Both tables are sorted by national rank within the size tier, the only measure that is comparable between a small town and a large city. The department rank is read within the same tier: a town that is the only one of its size in the department is therefore automatically ranked 1 of 1.

Full national ranking: Safest cities.

02.

Best environmental quality.

Compliant drinking water, far from nuclear plants, low radon, low seismic risk, balanced soils, no major hazard

Top-ranked in the department

TownSize tierPopulationRank in its tier · DepartmentRank in its tier · France
MablySmall cities7,2461 / 26589 / 1747
RiorgesSmall cities11,0342 / 26604 / 1747
VillerestSmall cities5,1753 / 26986 / 1747
FeursSmall cities8,3704 / 261001 / 1747
CoteauSmall cities6,8935 / 261148 / 1747
Chazelles-sur-LyonSmall cities5,5076 / 261161 / 1747
Saint-ÉtienneLarge cities172,5691 / 136 / 53
RoanneMid-size cities35,3641 / 2340 / 470
Saint-GalmierSmall cities5,8487 / 261332 / 1747
VeaucheSmall cities8,9848 / 261343 / 1747

Lowest-ranked in the department

TownSize tierPopulationRank in its tier · DepartmentRank in its tier · France
Saint-ChamondMid-size cities35,5862 / 2459 / 470
Saint-Priest-en-JarezSmall cities6,31826 / 261701 / 1747
Montrond-les-BainsSmall cities5,65525 / 261680 / 1747
UnieuxSmall cities8,49524 / 261677 / 1747
Rive-de-GierSmall cities15,45723 / 261662 / 1747

Both tables are sorted by national rank within the size tier, the only measure that is comparable between a small town and a large city. The department rank is read within the same tier: a town that is the only one of its size in the department is therefore automatically ranked 1 of 1.

Full national ranking: Best environmental quality.

03.

Best cities for health.

Access to GPs (APL), hospitals and specialists, drinking water quality, radon and nuclear exposure

Top-ranked in the department

TownSize tierPopulationRank in its tier · DepartmentRank in its tier · France
Saint-Priest-en-JarezSmall cities6,3181 / 26111 / 1747
Andrézieux-BouthéonSmall cities10,3122 / 26289 / 1747
RoanneMid-size cities35,3641 / 289 / 470
FeursSmall cities8,3703 / 26359 / 1747
VillarsSmall cities7,7054 / 26364 / 1747
RiorgesSmall cities11,0345 / 26387 / 1747
TalaudièreSmall cities7,1036 / 26390 / 1747
Chambon-FeugerollesSmall cities12,3077 / 26518 / 1747
MontbrisonSmall cities16,0988 / 26536 / 1747
FirminySmall cities17,1289 / 26541 / 1747

Lowest-ranked in the department

TownSize tierPopulationRank in its tier · DepartmentRank in its tier · France
UnieuxSmall cities8,49526 / 261505 / 1747
SorbiersSmall cities8,07125 / 261489 / 1747
Saint-Marcellin-en-ForezSmall cities5,08824 / 261431 / 1747
Montrond-les-BainsSmall cities5,65523 / 261405 / 1747
Saint-ChamondMid-size cities35,5862 / 2369 / 470

Both tables are sorted by national rank within the size tier, the only measure that is comparable between a small town and a large city. The department rank is read within the same tier: a town that is the only one of its size in the department is therefore automatically ranked 1 of 1.

Full national ranking: Best cities for health.

04.

Best cities for families.

Schools and nurseries, safety, doctors, sport and culture, shops, fibre internet — everything to raise kids well

Top-ranked in the department

TownSize tierPopulationRank in its tier · DepartmentRank in its tier · France
Chazelles-sur-LyonSmall cities5,5071 / 2645 / 1747
MablySmall cities7,2462 / 26124 / 1747
Sury-le-ComtalSmall cities6,6513 / 26184 / 1747
FeursSmall cities8,3704 / 26198 / 1747
Saint-GalmierSmall cities5,8485 / 26250 / 1747
Saint-Priest-en-JarezSmall cities6,3186 / 26288 / 1747
Andrézieux-BouthéonSmall cities10,3127 / 26338 / 1747
MontbrisonSmall cities16,0988 / 26343 / 1747
RoanneMid-size cities35,3641 / 295 / 470
Saint-Just-Saint-RambertSmall cities15,5799 / 26437 / 1747

Both tables are sorted by national rank within the size tier, the only measure that is comparable between a small town and a large city. The department rank is read within the same tier: a town that is the only one of its size in the department is therefore automatically ranked 1 of 1.

Full national ranking: Best cities for families.

05.

Most dynamic cities.

Growing population, rising incomes, falling unemployment, strong municipal investment, recent housing

Top-ranked in the department

TownSize tierPopulationRank in its tier · DepartmentRank in its tier · France
FeursSmall cities8,3701 / 26114 / 1747
MontbrisonSmall cities16,0982 / 26255 / 1747
Saint-GalmierSmall cities5,8483 / 26286 / 1747
Montrond-les-BainsSmall cities5,6554 / 26394 / 1747
Sury-le-ComtalSmall cities6,6515 / 26458 / 1747
Rive-de-GierSmall cities15,4576 / 26472 / 1747
Andrézieux-BouthéonSmall cities10,3127 / 26528 / 1747
Saint-Genest-LerptSmall cities6,1828 / 26632 / 1747
TalaudièreSmall cities7,1039 / 26657 / 1747
Saint-Just-Saint-RambertSmall cities15,57910 / 26676 / 1747

Both tables are sorted by national rank within the size tier, the only measure that is comparable between a small town and a large city. The department rank is read within the same tier: a town that is the only one of its size in the department is therefore automatically ranked 1 of 1.

Full national ranking: Most dynamic cities.

06.

Best quality of life.

Overall synthesis: amenities, safety, doctors, incomes, fibre, nearby nature, healthy water, low unemployment

Top-ranked in the department

TownSize tierPopulationRank in its tier · DepartmentRank in its tier · France
Saint-Just-Saint-RambertSmall cities15,5791 / 26207 / 1747
Saint-GalmierSmall cities5,8482 / 26212 / 1747
Andrézieux-BouthéonSmall cities10,3123 / 26309 / 1747
Saint-Priest-en-JarezSmall cities6,3184 / 26335 / 1747
VeaucheSmall cities8,9845 / 26384 / 1747
Chazelles-sur-LyonSmall cities5,5076 / 26453 / 1747
FeursSmall cities8,3707 / 26507 / 1747
Sury-le-ComtalSmall cities6,6518 / 26512 / 1747
Montrond-les-BainsSmall cities5,6559 / 26556 / 1747
MontbrisonSmall cities16,09810 / 26565 / 1747

Lowest-ranked in the department

TownSize tierPopulationRank in its tier · DepartmentRank in its tier · France
Rive-de-GierSmall cities15,45726 / 261414 / 1747
RicamarieSmall cities8,16225 / 261388 / 1747
RiorgesSmall cities11,03424 / 261314 / 1747
Chambon-FeugerollesSmall cities12,30723 / 261179 / 1747
UnieuxSmall cities8,49522 / 261140 / 1747

Both tables are sorted by national rank within the size tier, the only measure that is comparable between a small town and a large city. The department rank is read within the same tier: a town that is the only one of its size in the department is therefore automatically ranked 1 of 1.

Full national ranking: Best quality of life.

07.

Best-managed municipalities.

Positive operating balance, controlled debt, strong investment, reasonable property tax rate

Top-ranked in the department

TownSize tierPopulationRank in its tier · DepartmentRank in its tier · France
Andrézieux-BouthéonSmall cities10,3121 / 2630 / 1747
RicamarieSmall cities8,1622 / 2643 / 1747
FeursSmall cities8,3703 / 2655 / 1747
Saint-GalmierSmall cities5,8484 / 26121 / 1747
RoanneMid-size cities35,3641 / 244 / 470
Roche-la-MolièreSmall cities9,8535 / 26181 / 1747
Chambon-FeugerollesSmall cities12,3076 / 26193 / 1747
MontbrisonSmall cities16,0987 / 26206 / 1747
Montrond-les-BainsSmall cities5,6558 / 26351 / 1747
MablySmall cities7,2469 / 26391 / 1747

Lowest-ranked in the department

TownSize tierPopulationRank in its tier · DepartmentRank in its tier · France
Saint-Just-Saint-RambertSmall cities15,57926 / 261474 / 1747
VillarsSmall cities7,70525 / 261455 / 1747
CoteauSmall cities6,89324 / 261363 / 1747
FirminySmall cities17,12823 / 261333 / 1747
Saint-Marcellin-en-ForezSmall cities5,08822 / 261262 / 1747

Both tables are sorted by national rank within the size tier, the only measure that is comparable between a small town and a large city. The department rank is read within the same tier: a town that is the only one of its size in the department is therefore automatically ranked 1 of 1.

Full national ranking: Best-managed municipalities.

08.

Preserved nature & environment.

National parks, nature reserves, Natura 2000, regional parks, far from nuclear, no major risks — preserved France

Top-ranked in the department

TownSize tierPopulationRank in its tier · DepartmentRank in its tier · France
Saint-ÉtienneLarge cities172,5691 / 16 / 53
Saint-ChamondMid-size cities35,5861 / 263 / 470
Saint-Just-Saint-RambertSmall cities15,5791 / 26262 / 1747
Saint-Marcellin-en-ForezSmall cities5,0882 / 26392 / 1747
VillerestSmall cities5,1753 / 26425 / 1747
FeursSmall cities8,3704 / 26494 / 1747
UnieuxSmall cities8,4955 / 26523 / 1747
RoanneMid-size cities35,3642 / 2163 / 470
MablySmall cities7,2466 / 26711 / 1747
Rive-de-GierSmall cities15,4577 / 26722 / 1747

Both tables are sorted by national rank within the size tier, the only measure that is comparable between a small town and a large city. The department rank is read within the same tier: a town that is the only one of its size in the department is therefore automatically ranked 1 of 1.

Full national ranking: Preserved nature & environment.

Method and limits

What these tables say — and what they don’t.

  • Scores are composite: each criterion carries a published weight, shown under each national ranking.
  • Towns are ranked within a population tier (5,000–20,000, 20,000–100,000, over 100,000 inhabitants). Towns under 5,000 inhabitants are not ranked.
  • A town missing the data for a criterion is left out of that ranking, never ranked last by default.
  • This is not a league table of lived quality of life: these figures reflect the public data available, with its blind spots and publication delays.
  • Crime figures are offences recorded by the police and the gendarmerie: they depend on whether victims report them and on how present the services are.

Sources, data years and weightings: About page. A question, a figure that looks wrong to you, a request for a custom breakdown — contact@lagrandecarte.fr.