Saint-Étienne, city in south central France, capital of Loire Department, on the Massif Central, near Lyon. Saint-Étienne is famous for its silk ribbons, which have been manufactured in the city since the 16th century. The city has also been involved in the manufacture of armaments since the 16th century. Today, specialized steel for firearms and armor plating are produced here. In the city are the University of Saint-Étienne (1969) and the Museum of Art and Industry.
Saint-Étienne developed into an important economic center in the 15th and 16th centuries. The first steel mill in France was built here in 1815, and in 1827 Saint-Étienne became a terminus for transporting coal on the first French railroad. Population (1999) 180,210.
