190 miles after the source of the river Loire, Roanne is the first large town on the river. The town therefore has an exceptional natural heritage which is in the very heart of the town. However, this asset is not the only one...

In Roanne, all the quarters are less than 20 minutes on foot from the Loire. it is therefore a much appreciated place for walks. You can, as you choose, stop in Varennes, a landscaped park with very fine views over the town and over the Monts de la Madeleine mountains, in Montretout, where you will discover the Roanne to Digoin canal, or else go and watch the birds in the Gravières de Matel gravel pits.
The town wants today to continue to develop these spaces, by connecting them to each other (with a discovery path laid out by Grand Roanne Agglomération) and by encouraging links with the quarters.
This is all the more important as, for Roanne people, the Loire is also a cultural heritage. The town has indeed for a long time been a centre of industrial exchanges around the Loire, with several successive ports, which used to make it possible in particular to transport the coal from the Forez area.

As in many river towns, the town did for some time move away from its river. However, today there is a real desire to reappropriate the space, with a balance between the protection of the fauna and flora, and places of discovery for tourists and locals.

The town of Roanne has other assets: its green heritage is there to discover. Trees, shrubs, flowers and turfed spaces enable the people of Roanne to enjoy a pleasant living environment.
For example, the park by the Renaison, one of the tributaries of the Loire ; the port, a former industrial port developed into a marina ; the stade du Parc, a sports complex planted with trees; the bois du Colombier, a wood in the middle of a residential quarter;.. are all pleasant places.

We should add that the town also has town forests, the main one of which, Bécajat, is situated in the village of St-Bonnet-des-Quarts.

The management of all the town's landscaped spaces is constantly evolving. The objective is to permit diversity (from flower boxes to genuinely natural spaces) while at the same time having an objective of greater environmental friendliness.
For example, since 2009, the town has made hay on large spaces: the hay was given to a neighbouring commune and that avoided having to mow and take away the grass several times. Fallow land with flowers was also created and can encourage biodiversity, while at the same time enabling the locals to make beautiful bouquets...
Evolution in the management of water, wastes, weeding,.... also make it possible to respect the planet.