town, Loire département, Rhône-Alpes région, east-central France, on the Loire River. The town is located 40 miles (64 km) west-northwest of Lyon. Founded in the Romano-Gallic age, it was originally called Rodumna. The 11th-century castle-donjon is the only surviving remnant of its ancient castle. The centre of the town is the Carrefour Helvétique (Helvetian Crossroads). The Lycée Jean Puy occupies the former 17th-century Jesuit college.

Roanne is an important commercial and industrial centre. It has a long tradition of textile manufacturing, and, although this activity has declined in importance, Roanne is still noted as a centre for knitwear. Other industries include the manufacture of machinery, armaments, plastics, tires, and foodstuffs; however, services have become the dominant activity of the town. The gorges of the Loire River valley are 2 miles (3 km) south of Roanne, and the scenic Madeleine Range is to the west. Pop. (1999) 38,896; (2005 est.) 35,700.