It lies on the river Ondaine, 13 km southwest of Saint-Étienne by rail.

History

The ancient name of the town was Firminiaco or Firminiacus (lit. "place of Firmin"). The name was first recorded in a 971 charter by the King of Burgundy.

Firminy had historically important coalmines known since the 14th century and extensive manufactures of iron, steel, and aluminum goods, including railway material, machinery and cannon. Fancy woolen hosiery was also manufactured.

Population

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1793 1,486 —     1800 1,713 +2.05% 1806 1,821 +1.02% 1821 2,627 +2.47% 1831 3,779 +3.70% 1836 3,784 +0.03% 1841 4,306 +2.62% 1846 4,774 +2.08% 1851 5,374 +2.40% 1856 6,420 +3.62% 1861 7,672 +3.63% 1866 9,217 +3.74% 1872 10,422 +2.07% 1876 11,972 +3.53% 1881 13,707 +2.74% 1886 13,992 +0.41% 1891 14,511 +0.73% 1896 15,771 +1.68%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1901 16,903 +1.40% 1906 17,944 +1.20% 1911 19,580 +1.76% 1921 20,194 +0.31% 1926 21,303 +1.07% 1931 21,365 +0.06% 1936 20,257 −1.06% 1946 20,362 +0.05% 1954 21,161 +0.48% 1962 26,065 +2.64% 1968 24,924 −0.74% 1975 25,060 +0.08% 1982 24,113 −0.55% 1990 23,123 −0.52% 1999 19,297 −1.99% 2007 17,569 −1.17% 2012 17,123 −0.51% 2017 17,135 +0.01%
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
Source: EHESS and INSEE (1968-2017)

Sights

Two historic churches from the 12th and 16th centuries are located here. The architect Le Corbusier designed a group of modern buildings, called "Firminy Vert", which includes the Saint-Pierre Church, a stadium, a cultural center, and an Unité d'Habitation.

See also

• Communes of the Loire department
• Maurice Debesse