Orleans
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General Information
Common Name: Orleans
Other Name: -, District: NA, State: Center, France
Area: 0 -
Languages Spoken: French
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: -
Best Time to Visit: June to August and Mid September
International Access: -Description
Orléans is a city and commune in north-central France.Orléans is a lively trading town and a good base for excursions to the Châteaux in the Loire.The capital of the Loire Valley is famous for two reasons: Joan of Arc and the ''Chateaux'' in the region.Location
About 130 km southwest of Paris.Climate
Temperate
In Orléans, a small museum devoted to Joan of Arc is to be found in a faithfully restored 15th C. house.
This elegant Renaissance mansion, once the Hôtel Cabu, now houses the Musée Historique et Archéologique de l''Orléanais.To the south of the two museums is the charming old town of Orléans, with many Renaissance houses.
In Orléans, to the east of the Place du Martroi is the massive Cathedral of Ste-Croix, on the site of an earlier 10th C. church, part of the foundations of which have been preserved. The building of the cathedral began in 1278 but was several times interrupted and continued into the 16th C.The west front, flanked by twin towers, has five doorways and much Baroque decoration. The towers themselves are over 81 m/266ft high and are the work of the architect Trouard, although the original plans were drawn up by J. Gabriel.Also of interest is the church treasure, which includes Byzantine fabrics and enamelwork, together with Limoges work.