# Aurec-sur-Loire

> commune in Haute-Loire, France

**Wikidata**: [Q250555](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q250555)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurec-sur-Loire)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aurec-sur-loire

## Summary

Aurec-sur-Loire is a commune located in the Haute-Loire department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-central France, situated along the Loire River—the longest river in France. The town lies at coordinates 45.369°N latitude and 4.202°E longitude, approximately 20 kilometers southeast of Saint-Étienne, and serves as the administrative center of the canton of Aurec-sur-Loire. With a population of approximately 6,100 to 6,200 residents in recent years, Aurec-sur-Loire functions as a suburban commune within the Saint-Étienne metropolitan area, offering residential character while maintaining historical significance as part of the Forez region.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Aurec-sur-Loire
- **Aliases**: Aurec de Lèir, Aurec
- **Department**: Haute-Loire (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Region**: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
- **Arrondissement**: Yssingeaux
- **Canton**: Aurec-sur-Loire (inception: March 22, 2015)
- **Country**: France
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 45.369166666667°N, Longitude 4.2016666666667°E
- **River**: Loire (longest river in France)
- **Population (Recent)**: Approximately 6,100–6,200 residents
- **Historical Population Values**: 5,919; 6,102; 6,227; 6,111; 6,127; 3,620; 3,975; 4,248; 4,510; 4,895; 5,229; 5,675; 6,142; 6,166; 6,171; 6,133; 6,164
- **Website**: http://www.mairie-aurec.fr
- **Wikipedia Title**: Aurec-sur-Loire
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Haute-Loire, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 50
- **Commune Status**: Territorial subdivision of France (communes established since 1789)

## FAQs

**What region and department is Aurec-sur-Loire located in?**

Aurec-sur-Loire is situated in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-central France, specifically within the Haute-Loire department. The commune belongs to the arrondissement of Yssingeaux and serves as the administrative center for the canton of Aurec-sur-Loire, which was established on March 22, 2015, as part of French administrative reorganization.

**What is the geographical position of Aurec-sur-Loire?**

The commune is positioned at coordinates 45.369°N latitude and 4.202°E longitude, placing it in the Forez region along the Loire River—the longest river in France. It lies approximately 20 kilometers southeast of Saint-Étienne and sits within a valley where the Loire flows, giving the town its name ("sur-Loire" means "on the Loire").

**How many people live in Aurec-sur-Loire?**

Aurec-sur-Loire has a population of approximately 6,100 to 6,200 residents in recent census data. The population has grown significantly from earlier in the 20th century, when it numbered between 3,600 and 4,200 residents, reflecting suburban growth as part of the Saint-Étienne metropolitan area.

**What administrative changes has Aurec-sur-Loire experienced?**

The commune exists within the French administrative system of communes, which were established in 1789. The Haute-Loire department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The canton of Aurec-sur-Loire was reorganized on March 22, 2015, as part of France's departmental reorganization.

**What is the economic and social character of Aurec-sur-Loire?**

Aurec-sur-Loire functions primarily as a residential suburb within the Saint-Étienne metropolitan area, with residents commuting to larger urban centers for work. The town maintains a municipal website at http://www.mairie-aurec.fr and serves as a local administrative center for the surrounding area in the Forez region.

## Why It Matters

Aurec-sur-Loire matters as a representative example of French suburban development in the post-industrial era, demonstrating how smaller communes in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region have evolved as residential communities serving larger metropolitan areas like Saint-Étienne. The town's location along the Loire River places it within a region of significant geographical and historical importance—the Loire being France's longest river and a defining feature of the nation's geography. The commune's membership in the canton of Aurec-sur-Loire, established in 2015, reflects France's ongoing administrative modernization efforts to optimize local governance structures. For residents and visitors, Aurec-sur-Loire represents the character of rural French life while maintaining convenient access to urban amenities and employment opportunities in the Saint-Étienne area. The town's historical population growth from approximately 3,600 residents in the early 20th century to over 6,100 today illustrates broader demographic shifts in French society, including urbanization and suburbanization patterns that have reshaped the nation's settlement geography.

## Notable For

- **Location on the Loire River**: One of the communes situated along France's longest river, the Loire, which spans over 1,000 kilometers
- **Suburban Growth**: Demonstrates significant population increase from mid-20th century to present, reflecting suburbanization of the Saint-Étienne metropolitan area
- **Administrative Center**: Serves as the seat of the canton of Aurec-sur-Loire since 2015
- **Forez Region Location**: Situated in the historical Forez region of Haute-Loire, an area with distinct cultural and geographical identity
- **Part of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes**: Located in one of France's largest and most diverse regions, encompassing both mountainous terrain and river valleys

## Body

### Geography and Location

Aurec-sur-Loire is strategically positioned in the Haute-Loire department within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-central France. The commune sits at coordinates 45.369166666667°N latitude and 4.2016666666667°E longitude, placing it in the valley formed by the Loire River—the longest river in France, stretching over 1,000 kilometers from its source in the Massif Central to its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean. The town's name directly references its riverside location, as "sur-Loire" translates to "on the Loire."

The commune lies approximately 20 kilometers southeast of Saint-Étienne, one of France's major industrial cities and the prefecture of the Loire department. This proximity has significantly influenced Aurec-sur-Loire's development, transforming it into a residential suburb for Saint-Étienne commuters while maintaining its own distinct local identity. The surrounding landscape features the characteristic terrain of the Forez region, which encompasses portions of the Massif Central and is known for its agricultural plains, volcanic influences, and river valleys.

### Administrative Structure

Aurec-sur-Loire operates within France's complex administrative hierarchy, which organizes the country into multiple levels of territorial collectivity. The commune represents the lowest level of administrative organization in France, a system that originated in 1789 during the French Revolution and continues to serve as the fundamental territorial subdivision for municipal governance.

The commune belongs to the department of Haute-Loire, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of French territory following the Revolution. Haute-Loire is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, one of France's 18 administrative regions, formed through the 2016 merger of the former Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes regions. Within Haute-Loire, Aurec-sur-Loire falls under the arrondissement of Yssingeaux, which administers the southeastern portion of the department.

Most notably, Aurec-sur-Loire serves as the administrative seat of the canton of Aurec-sur-Loire, a territorial circumscription established on March 22, 2015, as part of France's departmental reorganization. This cantonal reorganization, which reduced the number of cantons in many departments, designated Aurec-sur-Loire as a center of local governance, providing administrative services and representation for surrounding communities.

### Demographics and Population

The population of Aurec-sur-Loire has undergone substantial transformation over the past century, reflecting broader demographic and economic trends affecting rural and suburban France. Historical census data reveals a population trajectory that moved from approximately 3,620 to 4,248 residents in the early to mid-20th century, through periods of growth and stability, to current figures exceeding 6,100 residents.

The multiple population values recorded in the source material—ranging from 3,620 to 6,227—represent various census years, demonstrating the commune's evolution from a small rural settlement to a more substantial suburban community. This growth pattern aligns with the broader phenomenon of suburbanization that accelerated in France during the latter half of the 20th century, as residents sought more affordable housing while maintaining employment connections to larger urban centers like Saint-Étienne.

The current population of approximately 6,100 to 6,200 residents positions Aurec-sur-Loire as a medium-sized commune within the French administrative framework. The town's residential character, combined with its proximity to Saint-Étienne, makes it an attractive location for families and workers seeking a balance between urban employment opportunities and quieter rural or suburban living conditions.

### Historical Context and Naming

The commune is known by several names and variations, including Aurec-sur-Loire (the official name), Aurec de Lèir (the Occitan language version reflecting the local linguistic heritage), and Aurec (common shortened form). The use of "de Lèir" in Occitan directly references the Loire River in the regional language, demonstrating the area's historical connection to Occitan culture and linguistic traditions found throughout southern France.

The establishment of communes as territorial subdivisions in 1789 provided the administrative framework within which Aurec-sur-Loire operates today. The French Revolution's reorganization of local governance replaced the previous system of parishes and provinces with a uniform structure of departments, arrondissements, and communes—a system that, while modified over time, remains largely intact in contemporary France.

### Local Governance and Services

As the seat of the canton of Aurec-sur-Loire, the commune serves as an administrative center for the surrounding area, providing local government services, maintaining public facilities, and representing local interests within the broader departmental and regional structures. The municipal government operates from the town hall (mairie), accessible through the official website at http://www.mairie-aurec.fr.

The commune's position within the French administrative system ensures its residents have access to various public services, including municipal administration, local taxation, public schooling, and community facilities. The cantonal system, while primarily electoral in function, also establishes Aurec-sur-Loire as a focal point for local governance and public services in the surrounding area.

### Regional Context and Relationships

Aurec-sur-Loire exists within a network of geographical and administrative relationships that define its place within French territorial organization. The commune's location along the Loire River connects it to a major geographical feature that has shaped settlement patterns, economic activity, and cultural identity throughout central France. The Loire River's significance as France's longest river and its role in French history, culture, and agriculture underscore the geographical importance of Aurec-sur-Loire's position.

The town's relationship to Saint-Étienne, the major urban center located approximately 20 kilometers to the northwest, represents a key aspect of its contemporary identity. Saint-Étienne, historically known for its industrial heritage in manufacturing, mining, and arms production, has evolved into a diversified metropolitan area offering employment, education, cultural amenities, and transportation connections. Aurec-sur-Loire benefits from this proximity while maintaining its distinct local character as a separate commune within the Haute-Loire department.

The broader Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region encompasses diverse geographical features, from the volcanic landscapes of the Massif Central to the Alpine peaks of the Rhône-Alpes portion, with river valleys like that of the Loire providing fertile agricultural land and settlement corridors. This regional diversity contributes to the economic and cultural richness of the area surrounding Aurec-sur-Loire.

### Cultural and Linguistic Heritage

The use of the Occitan name "Aurec de Lèir" reflects the historical linguistic landscape of the region, where Occitan languages and dialects were traditionally spoken alongside French. While French has become the dominant administrative and educational language, the preservation of Occitan place names maintains a connection to the region's cultural heritage.

The Forez region, which includes portions of Haute-Loire and the surrounding departments, possesses its own historical identity, distinct from both the broader Auvergnois and Rhodanien cultures. This regional character manifests in local traditions, architectural styles, agricultural products, and community identities that differentiate the area from other parts of France.

### Contemporary Significance

In contemporary France, communes like Aurec-sur-Loire represent the fundamental building blocks of local democracy and administration. With a sitelink count of 50, indicating moderate visibility in digital knowledge bases, Aurec-sur-Loire exemplifies the thousands of medium-sized communes that collectively form the backbone of French territorial organization.

The commune's evolution from a smaller settlement to a population center exceeding 6,000 residents demonstrates the ongoing demographic adjustments affecting French society. As urban centers like Saint-Étienne continue to influence surrounding areas, communes such as Aurec-sur-Loire serve as residential alternatives, offering housing, community services, and quality of life considerations that attract new residents seeking alternatives to larger urban environments.

The administrative structure supporting Aurec-sur-Loire—encompassing departmental, cantonal, regional, and national levels—provides residents with representation and services while connecting the local community to broader French and European political structures. This multi-level governance system represents a distinctive feature of French territorial organization, balancing local autonomy with national coordination and European integration.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/----0000)
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13. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
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18. Populations de référence 2023
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24. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
25. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File