Orleans

Posted by admin in Towns on 03 20th, 2009 | no responses

Orléans is a city on the north-eastern edge of the Loire Valley. It is 130 km southwest of Paris and is the capital of the Centre region of France with a population of over 150,000.

The city was founded in 275 by the Roman Emperor Aurelian. The name Orléans has since derived from the Emperor who at that time named the city Aurelianum in his honour. Attila the Hun almost sacked Orléans in 451 – his attempt only to avert at the last moment thanks to the arrival of an army under the combined command of Visgothian King Theodoric and the Roman general Aëtius.

Orléans was made the capital of what was then know as the kingdom of Burgundy in 511 by King Clodomir.

The Siege of Orléans in 1429 was the famous battle in which Joan of Arc made her reputation by ending the year long siege just nine days after she arrived. In doing so she also turned the Hundred Years’ War in France’s favour. A festival is still held each year in Orléans to commemorate Joan of Arc.

Orléans Events:

ATP Open Tennis Tournament Sep 2007 (annual) Palais des Sports	The world’s top tennis players converge on Orléans’ each September to take part in this official ATP tour tournament at the Palais des Sports – it was held for the first time in 2005.
Christmas Market Nov 2007 (annual) Parc des Expositions, France - Orléans	Orléans’ Christmas Market takes over the Parc des Expositions for three days at the end of November. Featuring gift stalls and children’s activities.
International Piano Competition Feb - Mar 2008 (annual)	Talented young pianists converge on Orléans’ for the International Piano Competition at the Carré St Vincent Scène Nationale d’Orléans.
Joan of Arc Festival (Fêtes de Jeanne d’Arc) 29 Apr - 8 May 2007 (annual)	Held to commemorate the famous siege of 1428-1429 when Joan of Arc helped liberate the city. Every year the city celebrates with shows, parades and live theatrical performances.
Loire Festival 19 - 23 Sep 2007 (annual)	Around 100 traditional barges, tugs and fishing boats come from all over Europe to celebrate this nautical festival on the River Loire.
Open-Air Cinema Festival Aug 2007 (annual)	Visitors can enjoy the open air cinema festival held each year in the city’s parks with a mix of screen classics, Hollywood releases and independent films beneath the stars.