Farewell to the Loire

I first saw the Loire four weeks ago at Blois and have been coming back to it or following it since. Here at Roanne, about 900km from its mouth, the river is still an impressive size. Now it is a final goodbye as I head east towards the Saone-Rhone valley. 

Roanne is where serious navigation of the Loire starts whether by the lateral canal, extended down from Digoin in the 1830s, or, in earlier times, by the river itself. Above Roanne are gorges, now dammed - one of the few interruptions to what claims to be Europe's longest untamed river. And Roanne claims that its port used to be the second largest in France, such was the importance of river and canal for internal trade. Here's the early 19th century stone bridge. 

But the town centre is some way off, presumably due to past risk of flooding - this is not a Blois or a Gien with a chateau and church on high ground dominating the river. Here's the 12th century tower that remains from the old chateau. 

And the other side of the figure in the foreground, a relic perhaps from the unfortunate 19th century makeover of the main church? Or a reproduction?

This is an early 17th century Jesuit chapel, said to be very nice inside but locked on a hot dead Sunday afternoon. 

And a late 18th century building, now the Sub Prefecture, with a cedar of Lebanon planted in 1830 which looked very attractive in the heat. The heat is forecast to rise further next week, which means I will have to try to get up earlier in the morning..