Loiret

Loiret
Department of France
Prefecture building in Orléans
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Loiret in France
Coordinates: 47°55′N 02°10′E / 47.917°N 2.167°E / 47.917; 2.167
Country	France
Region	Centre-Val de Loire
Prefecture	Orléans
Subprefectures	Montargis Pithiviers
Government
• President of the Departmental Council	Marc Gaudet[1] (UDI)
Area 1
• Total	6,775 km2 (2,616 sq mi)
Population  (2021)[2]
• Total	684,561
• Rank	37th
• Density	100/km2 (260/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Department number	45
Arrondissements	3
Cantons	21
Communes	325
^1 French Land Register data, which exclude estuaries and lakes, ponds and glaciers larger than 1 km2

Loiret (/lwɑːˈreɪ/;^[3] French: [lwaʁɛ]) is a department in the Centre-Val de Loire region of north-central France. It takes its name from the river Loiret, which is contained wholly within the department. In 2019, Loiret had a population of 680,434.^[4]

Its prefecture is Orléans, which is about 110 km (68 mi) southwest of Paris. As well as being the regional prefecture, it is a historic city on the banks of the Loire. It has a large central area with many historic buildings and mansions. Orléans Cathedral, dating back to the 13th century, was rebuilt after Protestant forces destroyed it in 1568. Loiret has two subprefectures, in Montargis and Pithiviers. It is famous for its several châteaux.