Saint-Chamond () is a commune in the Loire department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in central France. Situated 13 km northeast of the city of Saint-Étienne and 50 km southwest of Lyon, the town dates back to the Roman period. It lies in an iron and coal region, which were the basis of industrial growth during the 19th and 20th centuries. As many of the mines and factories closed in the late 20th century due to restructuring, there was a loss of jobs and population. The present city of Saint-Chamond is the result of the merger in 1964 of the communes of Saint-Martin-en-Coailleux, Saint-Julien-en-Jarez, Izieux and Saint-Chamond. The new town is the third-largest town in the department. Location Saint-Chamond is located in the Gier valley between the Monts du Lyonnais to the north and Mont Pilat to the south. The peak of Perdrix, at is the highest in the Pilat massif. The "Saut du Gier" waterfall is in the Pilat Regional Natural Park. The peak of Œillon provides views of the Rhone valley, and sometimes of the Mont-Blanc massif. The city developed on both sides of the Gier River, the source of which is on Mont Pilat. The river flows east down the Gier valley for before entering the Rhone at Givors. The river was covered over within the city. Saint-Chamond is named after Saint Annemund, a seventh-century saint. Geography and communities Saint-Étienne lies to the west and Lyon about to the east. Surrounding towns are Saint-Étienne, Lorette, La Grand-Croix, L'Horme, Cellieu and Saint-Jean-Bonnefonds. Saint-Chamond is divided into several districts: Fonsala, the largest district Izieux Le Creux Lavieu Saint-Ennemond Saint-Julien-en-Jarez Saint-Pierre Chavanne Les Palermes La Chabure Clos Marquet La Varizelle La Valette Saint-Martin-en-Coailleux Saint-Chamond centre. The town lies on the A47 highway between Lyon and Saint-Étienne. A second highway, the A45, is planned through the hamlet of Chavanne. One railway station serves the town. Various bus lines also provide local transport. History Saint-Chamond was originally a fort guarding one of five aqueducts that supplied the Roman city of Lugdunum (Lyon). The Gier aqueduct carried the waters of the river Gier captured upstream of Saint-Chamond. During the later Middle Ages, Saint-Chamond was a very important manor in the region and served as the capital of Jarez. Melchior Mitte de Chevrières, lord of Saint-Chamond, laid out the town. A number of older buildings survive, including House of Canons of the 15th and 16th