Orléans is a city on the Loire River in central France. It was the location along the river that was the reason for the city’s founding in the 100s BC. The river was an important trade route and Orléans emerged as a trading post on this route and the city developed until Julius Caesar destroyed it in 52 BC. The Roman emperor Aurelian rebuilt the city in the latter part of the 2nd century and named it Civitas Aurelianorum after himself. In the fourth century, there were battles in several places in Gaul and thus also in Orléans, where the Alan leader Goar ruled for a time.

During the following Merovingian period, Orléans became the capital of the kingdom of the same name, before it was included in the united Frankish kingdom as a duchy. The city’s importance was underlined by the fact that King Louis VI was crowned in Orléans Cathedral in 1108, which was one of the few royal coronations that did not take place in Reims. The city maintained its position throughout the Middle Ages, being the closest city to Paris on the Loire River.

During the Hundred Years’ War in the 1300s and 1400s, most of France was occupied by England, and the English king claimed the French throne. Joan of Arc played a decisive role in the liberation of France when she was put in the lead of the French army and won a battle at Orléans in 1429, which later led to the French heir to the throne being crowned as the new French king, and that the English retreated. Joan of Arc was nicknamed the Maid of Orléans for her achievements, and she has since become the French national saint.

After the end of the Hundred Years’ War, new growth came to Orléans due to bridge tolls for the passage of the Loire, trade and agricultural production. The affluent tourism of the time to the Loire Valley led by the king also contributed to a growing economy. The city left its mark on France’s colonies, as the capital of the American territories was named Nouvelle-Orléans after the duke of Orléans, who was temporarily the country’s regent. The city’s population grew steadily, and in the middle of the 19th century the railway opened between Paris and Orléans.

Today, Orléans is a city with cozy urban spaces and many sights. The old center is located on the northern bank of the Loire, and here you can go for some nice walks. One of them is along Rue Jeanne d’Arc, which in grand style leads to the city’s impressive cathedral, Cathédrale Sainte-Croix. The church was originally built 1278-1329, and Joan of Arc visited the cathedral during her stay in the city. In 1568 the building was partially destroyed, and between 1601 and 1829 the historically important church was rebuilt. You can see fine glass mosaics depicting Joan of Arc’s actions in the triumph at Orléans.

Along the northern side of the cathedral, there are preserved remains of the wall from the 4th century, which formerly enclosed Orléans. Northwest of the church is the city’s town hall and Hôtel Groslot, which belong to the town hall complex. The Hôtel Groslot was built 1550-1555, and several kings have stayed here over the years, and King François II died here in 1560. From the cathedral and town hall, you can walk west to the Place du Martroi, Orléans’ most elegant square. In the center of the square stands an equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, produced by Denis Foyatier in 1855. The statue was cast from bronze from nine former cannons.

There are several interesting museums in Orléans a well. One of them is the Maison de Jeanne d’Arc, which is a historical museum dedicated to the Maid of Orléans. The museum is set in a rebuilt medieval-style town house from 1965 on the site of a house that Joan of Arc stayed in during her heroic contribution to the liberation of the city from the English siege in 1429. Nearby is the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which is an art museum with works by many well-known masters and other art from the 15th-19th centuries. It is also recommended to take a walk along, for example, the Quai du Châtelet, from where you can enjoy the view to the Loire.