Orléans is located in the northern bend of the Loire, which crosses from east to west. Orléans belongs to the vallée de la Loire sector between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes-sur-Loire, which was in 2000 inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The capital of Orléanais, 120 kilomètres south-south-west of Paris, it is bordered to the north by the Beauce region and the forêt d'Orléans, and the Orléans-la-Source neighbourhood and the Sologne region to the south.

Five bridges in the city cross the river :

• Pont de l'Europe
• Pont du Maréchal Joffre (also called pont Neuf)
• Pont George-V (also called pont Royal), carrying the commune tramway
• Pont René-Thinat
• Pont de Vierzon (rail bridge)

To the north of the Loire (on the "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 of Fleury-les-Aubrais.

Conversely, the south (on the "rive gauche") has a gentle depression 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, the Orléans-la-Source quarter was created, 12 kilometres (7 mi)to the south of the original commune and separated from it by the Val d'Orléans and the Loiret River (whose source is in the Parc Floral de la Source). This quarter's altitude varies from about 100 to 110 m (330 to 360 ft).

In Orléans, the Loire is separated by a submerged dike known as the dhuis into the Grande Loire to the north, no longer navigable, and the Petite 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. With the increase in size of ocean-going ships, large ships can now navigate the estuary only up to about Nantes.

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.

An Inexplosible-type 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 the Canal d'Orléans, which connects to the Canal du Loing and the Canal de Briare at Buges near Montargis. 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 or muret, with a promenade along the top. Its last pound 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.

Places worth visiting include:

• The Gallo-Roman town-wall on the north side of the cathedral (4th century AD) and along the rue de la Tour-Neuve
• The Hôtel Groslot, built between 1550 and 1555 for Jacques Groslot, "bailli d'Orléans" by Jacques Ier Androuet du Cerceau. François II of France died there in 1560. Charles IX, Henri III of France and Henri IV of France stayed there. The "hôtel" was restored in 1850.The building houses the town Hall of Orléans since 1790 (weddings are still celebrated in one of the rooms)
• The hôtel de la Vieille Intendance (early 15th century) (otherwise named hôtel Brachet, formerly The King's house), real gothic-renaissance style château made of bricks. Today it houses the Administrative Court of Orléans. One can admire its frontage from the entrance in the rue de la Bretonnerie. But the most beautiful view of this house in which stayed the highest figures of the kingtom passing by the city, and maybe some kings themselves (Henri IV, Louis XIII, Louis XIV of France), may be obtained from its gardens, opened to the public (entrance rue d'Alsace-Lorraine).
• The hôtel de la Motte-Sanguin (18th century) and its gardens, manor built by order of du duke of Orléans, Louis-Philippe d'Orléans (1747-1793) named Égalité - "equality" - after his backing of the 1789 revolutionaries. Nicknamed "the richest man on earth" he voted in favor of the death penalty against his cousin the king Louis XVI. This is a classic style princely residence (and even royal because Philippe Égalité's heir accessed the throne of France under the name of Louis-Philippe Ier). It is comparable to the Loire Valley's châteaux.
• The school of artillery, formerly housing a military school built in the 19th century near the river Loire, and the more recent pont René-Thinat.
• Remains of the University of Orléans (the 15th-century building where students had to sit their exams), fonded in 1306 by pope Clement V, in which, among many other great historical figures, the Protestant John 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.
• The House of Louis XI (end of the 15th century), on Saint-Aignan square. Built by order of the sovereign who revered particularly Saint Aignan.
• The House of Joan of Arc, where she stayed during the Siege of Orléans (in fact, this is an approximate reconstitution, the original building was bombed by the Nazis in 1940).
• The place du Martroi, heart of the city, with a statue of Joan of Arc at its center, made by Denis Foyatier. This statue was damaged during the Second World War then repaired by Paul Belmondo, father of the famous 1950s to 1980s French actor.
• The Bannier gate-house, discovered in 1986 under the statue of Joan 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
• The rue de Bourgogne, the most important street of Orléans for more than 2000 years. It used to be the decumanus of the Roman city crossing the forum, then 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 "Prefecture", where the "Prefet" (officer who represents the French State in the Region) lives, the "Galleries Lafayette", many restaurants and shops. It is more than a mile long. It is the heart of the city. One can admire many historical houses on its sides.
• The Tour Blanche / White Tower, only tower subsisting of the Gallo-Roman town wall (still in use at the time of the Siege of Orléans.
• The port, (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 merchandises where brought to Paris by road ways. Wine, and sugar from the colonies, were shipped to Orléans where they were stored and refined. Vinegar is still a speciality of the city due to the lapsing of wine stocks during the shipment. One can admire the old pavement of the port (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.
• The Hôpital Madeleine (Hospital), built by King Louis XIV (18th century) and his successors (notably an important part of the 18th century). Still in use.
• The Hôtel Cabu, otherwise named house of Diane de Poitiers, built by order of Philippe Cabu, barrister, in 1547, on plans of the famous architect Jacques Ier Androuet du Cerceau.
• The Hôtel Hatte, 16th century. Today the Charles-Péguy Center.
• The Hôtel Toutin, 16th century.
• The Hôtel Pommeret d'Orléans, 16th century.
• The Hôtel Ducerceau, 16th century.
• The maison de la coquille, 16th century.
• The Hôtel des Créneaux, former city hall, flanked by its bell tower (15th century). It today houses the city's school of music. This is a magnificent piece of late gothic secular architecture (15th century) that reminds the famous and much more recent Parisian city hall.
• The House of Jean Dalibert, 16th century.
• The Study of Jacques Bouchet (16th century), which can be admired from the public square "Jacques Bouchet".
• The mansions of the rue d'Escure (17th and 18th centuries).
• The "préfecture" : former Benedictine monastery, built in 1670 and housing the "Préfecture du Loiret" since 1800.
• The Pont de l'Europe, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is an inclined bow-string ark bridge particularly original.
• The Pont Royal, the oldest bridge of the city.
• The Pont 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.
• The bishop's palace, (17th and 18th centuries).
• The courthouse (18th to 20th centuries).
• The "salle de l'Institut", on "place Sainte Croix", is a small concert hall which can be converted in a ball room. Its acoustics is remarkable.
• The Mansions of the rue de la Bretonnerie. This street concentrates many "hotels particuliers" of all styles and ages (15th to 20th centuries). High society members, politicians, barristers, doctors... continue to live there.
• Statue La Baigneuse by Paul Belmondo, aside the rue Royale (1955).
• Statue of Calvin, by Daniel Leclercq, facing the Calvinist temple (2009).
• The FRAC Centre building named "Les turbulences", an advanced piece of architecture covered with L.E.Ds.
• Many historical houses and mansions (hundreds) can still be admired in the city center which is one of the largest in France due to the great importance of the city until the 20th century. The historical center 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 ...)
• Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Orléans.
• Charles Peguy Centre.
• Joan of Arc's House.
• Fine Arts Museum.
• City Historical and Archeological Museum.
• Natural Science Museum.
• Parc Floral de la Source.
• Motte Sanguin garden.
• Charpenterie garden.
• Botanic garden.
• Anjorrant park.
• Charbonnière park.
• Moins Roux park.
• Pasteur park.

Feel free to Email me any additions or corrections

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