Loiret
a department of Central France, formed out of the old provinces of Orléannais and Berri, and comprising the arrondissements of Orléans, Montargis, Gien, and Pithiviers; on the N. loop of the Loire; area, 2,629 square miles; pop. about 364,000. The country is for the most part an elevated, fertile plain, producing corn and wine in abundance, except in the sandy district of Sologne, lying S. of Orleans, the chief town. Cattle, sheep, and bees are extensively reared. Pottery and porcelain , sugar, vinegar, and soap are the principal industrial products.
LOIR-ET-CHER (lwär-ā-shār'), a department of France, formed out of the old province of Orléannais, and comprising the arrondissements of Blois, Vendome, and Romorantin. The Loire flows through it S. W., almost bisecting it.
The S. E. portion belongs to the infertile district of Sologne. The Loir crosses it parallel to the Loire farther to the N.
W.; area, 2,478 square miles; pop. about 270,000. The department is almost a uniform plain. The chief products are corn, fruits, wine, beet root, and timber.
Fish, poultry, and bees abound. Principal town, Blois.