Firminy

Firminy
A general view of Firminy
Coat of arms
Firminy
Location within Rhône-Alpes region Firminy
Coordinates:
Country	France
Region	Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Department	Loire
Arrondissement	Saint-Étienne
Canton	Firminy
Intercommunality	Saint-Étienne Métropole
Government
• Mayor (2008–2014)	Marc Petit
Area1	10.45 km2 (4.03 sq mi)
Population (1999)2	19,297
• Density	1,800/km2 (4,800/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	42095 / 42700
Elevation	446–800 m (1,463–2,625 ft) (avg. 468 m or 1,535 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Firminy is a commune in the Loire department in central France.

It lies on the Ondaine River 8 mi. S.W. of Saint-Étienne by rail.

History

The ancient name of the town was Firminiaco or Firminiacus (lit. "place of Firmin"). The name was first recorded in a 971 charter by the King of Burgundy.

Firminy had historically important coalmines known since the 14th century and extensive manufactures of iron, steel, and aluminum goods, including railway material, machinery and cannon. Fancy woolen hosiery was also manufactured.

Sights

Two historic churches from the 12th and 16th centuries are located here. The architect Le Corbusier designed a group of modern buildings, called "Firminy Vert", which includes the Saint-Pierre Church, a stadium, a cultural center, and an Unité d'Habitation.

See also

• Communes of the Loire department

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: 

External links

• Official website (French)