Content Starts Here

St Etienne. City Guide

Famed as a source of French industrial entrepreneurship, St. Etienne spent much of the 20th century languishing in the doldrums economically before re-discovering itself over the last 20 years or so.

The city shares much of its industrial legacy with neighbouring Lyon, and for almost two hundred years formed part of what was the biggest industrial region in France outside of Paris. Today, the city has modernised, and like many French cities, has re-focused its efforts on the information economy whilst at the same time retaining its working-class feel.

Town: St. Etienne was settled in the 12th century. It remained little more than that until the 16th century when the location of several armaments factories led to the city expanding in size and importance. Other industries followed in the 17th century, namely ribbon-making and the city become known as a place of industry.

It was the proximity to reserves of coal which had a huge impact on the town. By the 19th century, St. Etienne had become one of France's most important industrial towns and a centre for the industrial revolution. Its newfound importance was highlighted in 1855 when St. Etienne became the chief town in the Loire department. Towards the end of the 19th century, the bicycle industry began to grow and by the 1930s the city was the hub of Europe's bicycle industry.

However, by the 1970s, the crisis in mining and heavy industries hit St. Etienne badly, putting thousands out of work and crippling the local economy. Over recent years, there has been a shift in focus like in many other parts of France with attention being paid to education, research, design and the service industry. Today, St. Etienne has recovered and considers itself France's 'City of Design'.

St. Etienne is not a particularly touristy city, but the hardworking Mairie have created enough attractions combined with the city's interesting industrial legacy to keep any potential visitors occupied.

Location: Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, St. Etienne is situated 50 kilometres southwest of Lyon and stands between the Rhône-Alpes and the Auvergne region.

Tourist attractions:

Musée d'Art Moderne. Considered the jewel in the crown of Saint-Etienne's attractions, the Museum of Modern Art features 43,000-square feet of exhibition space that draws more than 100,000 visitors per year. The vast selection of 20th century works features Picasso, Lger, Warhol, and many more.

Musée de la Mine This museum offers a complete picture of mining life and shows the importance of this industry to the region's history. Visitors are taken underground and can view the harshness of a miner's working life.

Astronef- Saint Etienne Planetarium: For those who enjoy a bit of star-gazing, Saint-Etienne's Planetarium delves into everything you ever wanted to know about astronomy, cosmology, and other space-related topics.

Musee de l'Art et l'Industrie This museum gives a fascinating insight into industrial life in St. Etienne in the 19th and 20th centuries. The artifacts and archives inside are impressive with exhibitions on the weapons manufactured in the city over the ages.

Place Jean Jaures Place Jean Jaures is a focal point of the city and an ideal place to start a day's wandering with many shops and cafes on the square. Additional attractions include the Saint Charles Cathedral, which was built during the 1920s but was never completed due to lack of funds.

Post-match hostelries:

St. Etienne has a decent-sized centre with plenty of authentic French bars and a few ex-pat pubs.

L'Irlandais 9, rue de la Resistance, Saint-Etienne, France 42000
All the usual trappings that you might expect with an Irish pub and one of the livelier bars in the city.

Picadilly Circus 3, place Neuve, Saint-Etienne, France 42000
One of the trendiest nightspots in town, this bar has a relaxed atmosphere even when packed to the rafters.

Accomodation:

Mid-Range:

Astoria.
rue Henri Dechaud, 42000 Saint Etienne. +33 (0) 477 250 956

Albatros
67, rue Saint Simon, 42000 Saint Etienne.
+33 (0) 477 414 100

Terminus
29, avenue Denfert Rochereau, 42000 Saint Etienne
+33 (0) 477 324 847

Mercure
rue de Wuppertal, 42100 Saint Etienne. +33 (0) 477 428 181

Midi
19, bd Pasteur, 42000 Saint Etienne +33 (0) 477 573 255

Ibis Chateauxcreux 35, avenue Denfert Rochereau, 42000 Saint Etienne +33 (0) 477 379 090

Ibis La Terrasse 35, place Massenet, 42000 Saint Etienne +33 (0) 477 933 187

Kyriad 77, rue de la Montat, 42000 Saint Etienne
+33 (0) 477 211 221

Budget:

De La Tour
1, rue Mercière, 42000 Saint Etienne +33 (0) 477 322 848