Orléans is located on the riverLoire nestled in the heart of theLoire Valley, a region classified as aWorld Heritage Site where the river curves south towards theMassif Central. In 2020, the city had 117,026 inhabitants within its municipal boundaries.[9] Orléans is the center ofOrléans Métropole that has a population of 290,346.[10] The largermetropolitan area has a population of 454,208, the 20th largest in France.[3]
Orléans is located in the northern bend of the Loire, which crosses from east to west. Orléans belongs to thevallée de la Loire sector betweenSully-sur-Loire andChalonnes-sur-Loire, which was in 2000 inscribed byUNESCO as aWorld Heritage Site. The capital ofOrléanais, 120 kilometres southwest of Paris, is bordered to the north by theBeauce region, more specifically theOrléans Forest (French:forêt d'Orléans) and Orléans-la-Source neighbourhood, and theSologne region to the south.
Five bridges in the city cross the Loire: Pont de l'Europe, Pont du Maréchal Joffre (also called Pont Neuf),Pont George-V (also called Pont Royal, carrying the communetramway), Pont René-Thinat and Pont de Vierzon (rail bridge).
To the north of the Loire (rive droite) is to be found a small hill (102 m (335 ft) at the pont Georges-V, 110 m (360 ft) at the Place du Martroi) which gently rises to 125 m (410 ft) at la Croix Fleury, at the limits ofFleury-les-Aubrais. Conversely, the south (on therive gauche) has a gentledepression to about 95 m (312 ft)above sea level (at Saint-Marceau) between the Loire and the Loiret, designated a "zone inondable" (flood-risk zone).
At the end of the 1960s, theOrléans-la-Source [fr] neighbourhood was created, 12 kilometres (7 mi)to the south of the original commune and separated from it by the Val d'Orléans and the riverLoiret (whose source is in theParc Floral de la Source). This quarter's altitude varies from about 100 to 110 m (330 to 360 ft).
Orléans experiences anoceanic climate (Köppen climate classificationCfb), similar to much of central France. July and August, the warmest months, have an average temperature of 19.7 °C (67.5 °F) and a high of 25.8 °C (78.4 °F), while January, the coldest month, has an average temperature of 4.4 °C (39.9 °F) and an average low temperature of 1.7 °C (35.1 °F), although February has a lower average low than January at 1.3 °C (34.3 °F). The record high temperature is 41.3 °C (106.3 °F) recorded in July, while the record low temperature of −19.8 °C (−3.6 °F) was recorded in January.
Precipitation is evenly distributed year-round, with Orléans receiving 635.5 millimetres (25.02 in) of precipitation annually. However, some months are slightly wetter than others, with the driest month receiving 44.2 millimetres (1.74 in) of rain and the wettest receiving 63.0 millimetres (2.48 in) of precipitation on average. Precipitation days vary more, with less of them in the summer months than in the other seasons. Humidity is high year-round but decreases slightly in summer. July and August only have their humidity at 72% but December has 90% humidity on average. Orléans receives 1,822.6 hours of sunshine annually, with summer being the sunniest season and winter being the least sunny season. July, receiving 232.0 hours of sunshine on average, is the sunniest month, and December, receiving 60.9 hours of sunshine on average, has the least amount of sunshine.
Climate data for Orléans, elevation: 123 m (404 ft), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1938–present
In Orléans, the Loire is separated by a submergeddike known as thedhuis into theGrande Loire to the north, no longer navigable, and thePetite Loire to the south. This dike is just one part of a vast system of construction that previously allowed the Loire to remain navigable to this point.
The Loire was formerly an important navigation and trading route, and is at the heart of the city's foundation in the second century BC as a center of trade oremporium.[15] More recently, during the 17th century, the river enabled Orleans to become a major hub for refining sugar, which was imported from the Caribbean viaNantes, and whose commerce boosted other aspects of the local economy, such as sweets, chocolate manufacturing, and paper for wrapping.[16] In the 18th century, Orleans also acquired a reputation for producing vinegar, from local vineyards as well as wine traveling up the Loire.[17]
With the increase in size of ocean-going ships, large ships can now navigate theestuary only up to aboutNantes.
L'Inexplosible n°22, replica paddle steamer
Boats on the river were traditionally flat-bottomed boats, with large but foldable masts so the sails could gather wind from above the river banks, but the masts could be lowered in order to allow the boats to pass under bridges. These vessels are known as "gabarre", "futreau", and so on, and may be viewed by tourists near pont Royal.
The river's irregular flow strongly limits traffic on it, in particular at its ascent, though this can be overcome by boats being given a tow.
AnInexplosible-type [fr]paddle steamer owned by the mairie was put in place in August 2007, facing Place de la Loire and containing a bar.
Every two years, the Festival de Loire recalls the role played by the river in the commune's history.
On the river's north bank, near the town centre, is theCanal d'Orléans, which connects to theCanal du Loing and theCanal de Briare atBuges nearMontargis. The canal is no longer used along its whole length. Its route within Orléans runs parallel to the river, separated from it by a wall ormuret, with a promenade along the top. Its lastpound was transformed into an outdoor swimming pool in the 1960s, then filled in. It was reopened in 2007 for the "fêtes de Loire." There are plans to revive use of the canal for recreation and install a pleasure-boat port there.
Cenabum was aGaul stronghold, one of the principal towns of the tribe of theCarnutes where theDruids held their annual assembly. The Carnutes were massacred and the city was destroyed byJulius Caesar in 52 BC.[18] In the late 3rd century AD,Roman EmperorAurelian rebuilt the city and renamed itcivitas Aurelianorum ("city of Aurelian") after himself.[19] The name later evolved into Orléans.[20]
In 442 Flavius Aetius, the Roman commander in Gaul, requestedGoar, head of theIranian tribe ofAlans in the region to come to Orleans and control the rebellious natives and the Visigoths. Accompanying theVandals, the Alans crossed the Loire in 408. One of their groups, underGoar, joined the Roman forces ofFlavius Aetius to fightAttila when he invaded Gaul in 451, taking part in theBattle of Châlons under their kingSangiban. Goar established his capital in Orléans. His successors later took possession of the estates in the region between Orléans and Paris. Installed in Orléans and along the Loire, they were unruly (killing the town's senators when they felt they had been paid too slowly or too little) and resented by the local inhabitants. Many inhabitants around the present city have names bearing witness to the Alan presence – Allaines. Also many places in the region bear names of Alan origin.[21]
Orléans in September 1428, the time of thesiege of Orléans.15th-century depiction of the French troops attacking an English fort at the siege of Orléans
The city was always a strategic point on the Loire, for it was sited at the river's most northerly point, and thus its closest point to Paris. There were few bridges over the dangerous riverLoire, but Orléans had one of them, and so became – withRouen and Paris – one of medieval France's three richest cities.
On the south bank the "châtelet des Tourelles" protected access to the bridge. This was the site of thebattle on 8 May 1429 which allowedJoan of Arc to enter and lift the siege of thePlantagenets during theHundred Years' War, with the help of the royal generalsDunois andFlorent d'Illiers [fr]. The city's inhabitants have continued to remain faithful and grateful to her to this day, calling her "la pucelle d'Orléans" (the maid of Orléans), offering her a middle-class house in the city, and contributing to her ransom when she was taken prisoner.
Aurelia Franciae civitas ad Ligeri flu. sita (1581)The Renaissance Hôtel Groslot
Once theHundred Years' War was over, the city recovered its former prosperity. The bridge brought in tolls and taxes, as did the merchants passing through the city. KingLouis XI also greatly contributed to its prosperity, revitalising agriculture in the surrounding area (particularly the exceptionally fertile land aroundBeauce) and relaunchingsaffron farming atPithiviers. Later, during theRenaissance, the city benefited from its becoming fashionable for richchâtelains to travel along the Loire valley (a fashion begun by the king himself, whose royal domains included the nearby châteaus atChambord,Amboise,Blois, andChenonceau).
TheUniversity of Orléans also contributed to the city's prestige. Specializing in law, it was highly regarded throughout Europe.John Calvin was received and accommodated there (and wrote part of his reforming theses during his stay), and in returnHenry VIII of England (who had drawn on Calvin's work in his separation from Rome) offered to fund a scholarship at the university. Many other Protestants were sheltered by the city. Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known by his pseudonymMolière, also studied law at the University, but was expelled for attending a carnival contrary to university rules.
Thecathedral was rebuilt several times. The present structure had its first stone laid byHenry IV, and work on it took a century. It thus is a mix of late Renaissance and earlyLouis XIV styles, and one of the last cathedrals to be built in France.
When France colonised America, the territory it conquered was immense, including the wholeMississippi River (whose first European name was the RiverColbert), from its mouth to its source at the borders of Canada. Its capital was namedla Nouvelle-Orléans in honour ofLouis XV's regent, theduke of Orléans, and was settled with French inhabitants against the threat from British troops to the north-east.
The Dukes of Orléans hardly ever visited their city since, as brothers or cousins of the king, they took such a major role in court life that they could hardly ever leave. The duchy of Orléans was the largest of the French duchies, starting atArpajon, continuing toChartres,Vendôme,Blois,Vierzon, andMontargis. The duke's son bore the titleduke of Chartres. Inheritances from great families and marriage alliances allowed them to accumulate huge wealth, and one of them,Philippe Égalité, is sometimes said to have been the richest man in the world at the time. His son, KingLouis-Philippe I, inherited the Penthièvre and Condé family fortunes.
1852 saw the creation of theCompagnies ferroviaires Paris-Orléans and its famousgare d'Orsay in Paris. In theFranco-Prussian War of 1870, the city again became strategically important thanks to its geographical position, and was occupied by thePrussians on 13 October that year. Thearmée de la Loire was formed under the orders ofGeneral d'Aurelle de Paladines and based itself not far from Orléans atBeauce.
During theSecond World War, the German army made theOrléans Fleury-les-Aubrais railway station one of their central logistical rail hubs. The Pont Georges V was renamed "pont des Tourelles".[22] A transit camp for deportees was built atBeaune-la-Rolande. During the war, the American Air Force heavily bombed the city and the train station, causing much damage. The city was one of the first to be rebuilt after the war: the reconstruction plan and city improvement initiated by Jean Kérisel and Jean Royer was adopted as early as 1943, and work began as early as the start of 1945. This reconstruction in part identically reproduced what had been lost, such as Royale and its arcades, but also used innovative prefabrication techniques, such as îlot 4 under the direction of the architectPol Abraham.[23]
The big city of former times is today an average-sized city of 250,000 inhabitants. It is still using its strategically central position less than an hour from the French capital to attract businesses interested in reducing transport costs.
According toVictor Adolphe Malte-Brun inLa France Illustrée, 1882, Orléans's arms are "gules, three caillous incœurs de lysargent, and on a chiefazure, three fleurs de lysOr." Charle Grandmaison, in theDictionnaire Héraldique of 1861, states that it is "Or, with three hearts in gules", without the chief of France. Faulty designs sometimes describe it as "gules, three fleurs de lys argent, and on a chief azure three fleurs de lys Or."[24]
The "cœurs de lys", or heart of a lily, is not a true lily, which would have 6tepals, but a stylized or symbolic lily. Certain authors solve the problem by calling this symbol a "tiercefeuille", defined as a stemlessclover leaf, with one leaf at the top and two below, thus making this coat of arms "gules, with three reversed tiercefeuilles in argent, etc".
"Hoc vernant lilia corde" (granted byLouis XII, thenduke of Orléans), meaning "It is by this heart that lilies flourish" or "This heart makes lilies flourish", referring to thefleur de lys, symbol of the French royal family.
TAO manages buses andtram lines in Orléans. The first tram line was inaugurated November 20, 2000 and the second line on June 30, 2012. The network contains 29.3 km of rail. The annual ridership was 18.46 million in 2022.[26]
Orléans is an autoroute intersection: theA10 (linking Paris toBordeaux) links to the commune outskirts, andA71 (whose bridge over the Loire is outside the commune limits) begins here, heading for the Mediterranean viaClermont-Ferrand (where it becomes theA75).
Orléans is served by two main railway stations: the centralGare d'Orléans and theGare des Aubrais-Orléans, in the northern suburbs. Most long-distance trains call only at the Les Aubrais-Orléans station, which offers connections to Paris, Lille, Tours, Brive-la-Gaillarde, Nevers, and several regional destinations.
Former City Hall and Joan of Arc statue16th/17th buildings found rue de l'Escure, in front of the Hôtel GroslotA half-timbered house in Orleans15th century city hall towerView from the public park, rue d'Alsace-LorraineView of the Cathedral and the Hotel Groslot, from the Hotel public parkThe currentHôtel de VilleView from the public park of the palace
The Gallo-Roman town-wall on the north side of the cathedral (4th century AD) and along the rue de la Tour-Neuve
TheHôtel Groslot, built between 1550 and 1555 for Jacques Groslot, "bailli d'Orléans" by Jacques Ier Androuet du Cerceau. KingFrançois II of France died there in 1560. KingsCharles IX, Henri III of France andHenri IV of France stayed there. The "Hôtel" was restored in 1850. The building became the town Hall of Orléans in 1790 (weddings are still celebrated inside), before the council moved to the currentHôtel de Ville in 1981.[27]
Thehôtel de la Vieille Intendance (early 15th century) (otherwise named hôtel Brachet, formerly "The King's house"), real gothic-renaissance style château made of bricks.[28] Nowadays housing the Administrative Court of Orléans. One can admire its frontage from the entrance in the rue de la Bretonnerie. Yet, the building – which sheltered the highest figures of the kingdom passing by the city, and maybe some kings themselves (Henri IV, Louis XIII, Louis XIV of France) – can easily be observed from its gardens, opened to the public (entrance rue d'Alsace-Lorraine).
Thehôtel de la Motte-Sanguin (18th century) and its gardens, manor built at the behest ofLouis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans (1747–1793), cousin of the King Louis XVI. He was surnamed "Philippe Égalité" / "equality" referring to his support to the 1789 revolutionaries. Nicknamed "the richest man on earth" he voted in favour of the death penalty against his own cousin the kingLouis XVI, and suffered the same fate himself. This is a classic style princely residence (and even royal, since Philippe Égalité's heir accessed the throne of France under the name ofLouis-Philippe Ier). It is part of a public park opened to the public (via the Solférino street).
Theschool of artillery, next to theHôtel de la Motte-Sanguin which it is often confused with, formerly housing a military school, it was built in the 19th century near theLoire.[29]
Remains of theUniversity of Orléans (a 15th-century building housing the thesis room), founded in 1306 bypope Clement V, in which, among many other great historical figures, the ProtestantJohn Calvin studied and taught. The University was so famous that it attracted students from all over Europe, particularly Germany. The city of Orléans is one of the cradles of Protestantism.
TheHouse of Louis XI (end of the 15th century), on Saint-Aignan square. Built at the behest of the king, who particularly reveredSaint Aignan.[30]
TheHouse of Joan of Arc, where she stayed during thesiege of Orléans (this is actually an approximate reconstitution, the original building being bombed in 1940 during theBattle of France).
Place du Martroi, heart of the city, with the equestrian statue ofJoan of Arc at its centre, made byDenis Foyatier. This statue was damaged during the Second World War, then repaired byPaul Belmondo, father of the famous 1950s to 1980s French actor.
Duke of Orléans'sChancellerie (XVIIIe), located next to thePlace du Matroi, also bombed during the Second World War, only the frontage resisted.
TheBannier gate-house, discovered in 1986 under the statue ofJoan of Arc (Place du Martroi). It was built in the 14th century. It can be seen through a window in the subterranean car-park under the square, or visited under certain conditions.
Therue de Bourgogne and surrounding streets, Orléans's main street since the Antiquity, it's the former Roman decumanus, crossing the city from east to west.Joan of Arc entered the city in 1429 by the "Bourgogne" gatehouse situated at its Easter end. Until today it is still giving access to the "Préfecture", where the "Préfet" (officer who represents the French State in the Region) lives, many pubs, night clubs, restaurants and shops such as the "Galeries Lafayette". It is more than a mile long. One can admire many medieval houses on its sides.
TheTour Blanche / White Tower, it is one of the only medieval defensive towers remaining in the city (still in use at the time of thesiege of Orléans). It nowadays houses the city's archaeological department.
The Docks, (Port of Orléans]) once the most important inland port of France (18th century). While boats could not sail on the river Seine because of the windings, they could sail to Orléans on the river Loire with the wind in their back. Then the merchandise was brought to Paris by roadways. Wine, and sugar from the colonies, were shipped to Orléans where they were stored and refined. Vinegar is still a city speciality due to the lapsing of wine stocks during the shipment. One can admire the old pavement of the docks (18th and 19th centuries) on the north bank of the river in the city and on the island in the middle, that was used to channel the water.
TheHôpital Madeleine (former hospital), built byKing Louis XIV (18th century) and his successors (notably an important part of the 18th century).
Saint-Charles chapel, located within the grounds of the Madeleine Hospital, it was built in 1713 by Jacques V Gabriel, one of Louis XIV's architects.
TheHôtel Cabu, otherwise namedhouse of Diane de Poitiers, built at the behest of Philippe Cabu, barrister, in 1547, famous architect Jacques Ier Androuet du Cerceau providing the plans.
TheHôtel Hatte, 16th century. Today's Charles-Péguy Center.
TheHôtel Toutin, 16th century
TheHôtel Pommeret d'Orléans, 16th century
TheHôtel Ducerceau, 16th century
Themaison de la coquille, 16th century
TheHôtel des Créneaux, former city hall, flanked by its bell tower (15th century). It nowadays houses the city's school of music. This is a magnificent piece of late gothic secular architecture (15th century) that calls to mind the famous and much more recent Parisian city hall.
TheHouse of Jean Dalibert, 16th century
TheStudy of Jacques Bouchet (16th century), which can be admired from the public square "Jacques Bouchet"
The mansions, rue d'Escure (17th and 18th centuries)
The "Préfecture" : former Benedictine monastery, built in 1670 and housing the "Préfecture du Loiret" since 1800.
ThePont de l'Europe, designed bySantiago Calatrava, is an inclined bow-string ark bridge particularly original.
ThePont des Tourelles, built in 1140 and demolished in 1760, was the first stone-made bridge of Orléans. When the river Loire is low, one can see remains of it in the water.
ThePalais épiscopal d'Orléans, former Bishop's Palace. It was built between 1635 and 1641.Napoléon stayed there. It is nowadays housing the international centre for research, part ofUniversity of Orléans.
The courthouse (18th to 20th centuries)
The "salle de l'Institut", located on the "place Sainte Croix", is a small concert hall which can be converted into a ballroom. Its acoustics are remarkable.
Mansions, rue de la Bretonnerie. This street concentrates many particular mansions, of all styles and ages (15th to 20th centuries). High society members, politicians, barristers, doctors... continue to live there.
Mansions, rue d'Alsace-Lorraine, 19th-century bourgeoisie style houses.
StatueLa Baigneuse by Paul Belmondo, aside the rue Royale (1955).
Statue of Calvin, by Daniel Leclercq, facing the Calvinist temple (2009).[31]
TheFRAC Centre building named "Les turbulences", an advanced piece of architecture covered with L.E.Ds.
Memorial Museum to the Children of Vel d'Hiv at theCentre d'étude et de recherche sur les camps d'internement du Loiret (Study and Research Centre on the Internment Camps in Loiret), commemorating over 4,000 Jewish children who were concentrated at theVélodrome d´Hiver cycling arena in Paris in July 1942, after which they were interned at eitherPithiviers orBeaune-la-Rolande, and eventually deported to theAuschwitz extermination camp.[32]
Many historical houses and mansions (hundreds) can still be admired in the city centre, which is one of the largest in France due to the great importance of the city until the 20th century. The historical centre dating back to the 15th century extends far beyond the limits of the pedestrian sector that has been extensively restored in the past few years. In fact it corresponds to the portion of the modern city which is enclosed by the Boulevards. Many historical monuments remain in the non-pedestrian sectors of the city (for example, at rue Notre-Dame-de-Recouvrance, at rue des Carmes, at rue de la Bretonnerie, at Square Saint-Aignan).
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