Saint-Etienne is a city in the central eastern part of France, 60 km southwest of Lyon, the biggest city in the area. Saint-Etienne is located in the Rhone-Alps and it is an area with diverse environments, from hills and pine forests to beautiful green valleys and snow-capped mountains.

St. Etienne used to be the capital of the French bicycle industry. A major bicycle wheel manufacturer Mavic is based in the city, and at some point frame manufacturers such as Motobécane and Vitus were also based here. The city often hosts a stage of the Tour de France.

 St. Etienne is a city of art and culture and indeed there are some interesting museums and galleries to be found here. The city is home to the most important art gallery of modern and contemporary art in France outside Paris - the splendid Museum of Modern Art, which hosts the works of Picasso and Warhol among others.

Spring, summer and early autumn are the best times to enjoy this lush green stretch of France. Enjoying an almost-Mediterranean climate, the area's lakes, inland marina and rivers cater for water sports including wind-surfing and sailing while mountain-biking, golf, rambling and even skiing can be enjoyed in the higher reaches.

In St. Etienne, firearm manufacturing is a dominant industry. Visitors can view the city's past and present at the Museum of Old Saint-Etienne or the Museum of Coal Mining.

Saint Etienne attractions are Musee de la Mine, Musee d'Art Moderne, Musee d'Art et d'Industrie, L'Eglise Sainte-Marie, Musee des transports urbains, and Planetarium de Saint-Etienne.