Sainte Genevieve

City and administrative headquarters of Sainte Genevieve County, in southeastern Missouri, on the Mississippi River, 72 km/45 mi south of St Louis; population (1990) 4,400. It has produced limestone and marble, and has had some light industry. It is prone to flooding.

The oldest European settlement in the state, Sainte Genevieve was established around 1735 by the French, attracted by lead mines in the area. Farms were established along the river, and it became an important port.