Loire

Loire, longest river of France, rising in the Cévennes Mountain Range, south-eastern France, at an elevation of more than 1,340 m (4,400 ft) above sea level. The river, 1,006 km (625 mi) long, flows north, north-west, south-west, and finally west through a 56-km (35-mi) long estuary into the Bay of Biscay. The lower course is protected by large dykes. The principal tributaries are the Nièvre and the Maine on the right and the Allier, Cher, Indre, and Vienne on the left. The Loire is canalized for many miles and is connected with the Seine and the Saône rivers and the harbour of Brest by canals. The valley is famous for its vineyards and Renaissance châteaux, such as Amboise, Blois, Chambord, and Chenonceaux; the historic Loire Valley was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The area of drainage is about 120,950 sq km (46,700 sq mi), and is the source of such famous wines as Sancerre, Vouvray, Anjou, and Muscadet.