Loiret | |
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![]() Prefecture building in Orléans | |
![]() Location of Loiret in France | |
Coordinates: 47°55′N 02°10′E / 47.917°N 2.167°E | |
Country | France |
Region | Centre-Val de Loire |
Prefecture | Orléans |
Subprefectures | Montargis Pithiviers |
Government | |
• President of the Departmental Council | Marc Gaudet[1] (UDI) |
Area | |
• Total | 6,775 km2 (2,616 sq mi) |
Population (2021)[2] | |
• Total | 684,561 |
• Rank | 37th |
• Density | 100/km2 (260/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Department number | 45 |
Arrondissements | 3 |
Cantons | 21 |
Communes | 325 |
^1 French Land Register data, which exclude estuaries and lakes, ponds and glaciers larger than 1 km2 |
Loiret (/lwɑːˈreɪ/;[3] French: [lwaʁɛ]) is a department in the Centre-Val de Loire region of north-central France. It takes its name from the river Loiret, which is contained wholly within the department. In 2019, Loiret had a population of 680,434.[4]
Its prefecture is Orléans, which is about 110 km (68 mi) southwest of Paris. As well as being the regional prefecture, it is a historic city on the banks of the Loire. It has a large central area with many historic buildings and mansions. Orléans Cathedral, dating back to the 13th century, was rebuilt after Protestant forces destroyed it in 1568. Loiret has two subprefectures, in Montargis and Pithiviers. It is famous for its several châteaux.