Orleans, France: history and sights

Orleans, France - one of the oldest cities, which was for some time the second most important in the country, became famous for the victory over the English, which was headed by the famous Jeanne d'Arc. Now the city is a large industrial, winemaking and perfumery center of France. It attracts tourists with its rich history and monuments of architecture.

History of Orléans

The founders of the city are the tribes of the Gauls, who built it as a port on the Loire River and used it as an economic and transport center of France. However, in 52 BC. E. It was destroyed by Roman troops led by Julius Caesar.

The revival of Orleans took place 200 years later, when Emperor Marcus Aurelius came to power , in honor of which he was given the name of Aurelianum (1275). This name is already 17 centuries, during which, due to phonetic transformations in the language, it began to be read as Orleans (France).

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Aurelianum became the capital of the kingdom, a few hundred years later - the capital of the duchy, ruled by relatives of French monarchs.

The geographical location of Orleans was chosen because of its proximity to the river trade routes, through which ships brought goods from all over the world to France. Then, by land, they crossed to Paris, located just 100 km from the city.

During the last centuries, Orleans was repeatedly attacked and wars, and in the VI. For 38 years has become a religious center of the country because of the church cathedrals that took place here (meetings of priests). For some time after the division of the Frankish state the city becomes the capital of the Orleans kingdom. Since the X century. It is considered the second city in France, giving way to the importance of only Paris.

One of the important events took place in the 13th century. This is the opening of the university, thanks to which the city becomes the scientific center of France.

Orleans in the Middle Ages and until the beginning of the XIX century.

In the XV century. In Orleans there was a landmark event that left a mark on the history of France and England, it was here that the 100-year war between these states ended thanks to the troops led by Joan of Arc, who won this confrontation, after which she received the honorary title of "The Maid of Orleans" .

Another memorable date in French history, but more tragic - in 1572 in this city occurred Bartholomew's Night, which was the final of the religious war between the Huguenots and Catholics. In one night, almost 1 thousand Huguenots were killed here by violent death.

Another siege the city experienced in the 1870s, and then was captured by the Prussian army.

Return of power to the Bourbon dynasty

The beginning of the XIX century. In the country was marked by great historical cataclysms: after the fall of Napoleon, the Bourbon dynasty returned to power. This process was interrupted when Napoleon, escaping from the island of Elba, where he was serving a reference, tried to return to power. However, his 100-day rule ended in defeat, which he inflicted the combined armies of England and Prussia at the Battle of Waterloo. After this, Napoleon was exiled to St. Helena.

Since 1814, the history of the Restoration in France began in Bourbon and Orleans. First comes to power, Louis XVIII, then - Charles X, who were brought up by younger brothers executed in 1792 during the First French Revolution to King Louis XVI. This time becomes a period of secret societies and various conspiracies in which former adherents of Napoleon and numerous Republicans participated.

Louis XVIII was already advanced, he left unchanged the Civil Code and the administrative structure of the state, with it was adopted the Constitution of France, modeled on the English.

Charles X had an intention to promote the party of ultra-royalists to government posts, but from 1827, after the elections, liberals began to come to ministerial posts. In France, Bourbon and Orléans (the 8th grade studies it in history lessons), due to the wrong policy of the government and the discontent of ordinary citizens, a situation has developed that led to another revolution.

The Revolution of 1830

July 1830 was marked by a revolution in Paris, in which Charles X was overthrown, and in his place sits the last French King Louis Philip I, Duke of Orleans (the title wore since 1800).

France Bourbon and Orleans from the revolution to the end of 1848 adhered to the policy of the reformist Charter (1830), which was based on religious equality, the reorganization of the suffrage and the lowering of the influence of royal power. Louis Philippe in this regard received in the people the nickname "citizen king." The period of his rule was accompanied by instability in the country's social life, numerous conspiracies of his opponents, republican uprisings and even attempts on his life.

The situation of the poor in France Bourbon and Orleans from the revolution of 1830 also did not change: after the economic recovery in the early 1840s, a period of recession began, unemployment began to grow, and the impoverishment of workers continued. Since 1846, the economy of the country is experiencing depression, accompanied by peasant unrest. February 1848 marked the erection of barricades in the streets of Paris and popular unrest, so it was the beginning of the Second Republic. King Louis Philippe fled to England, abdicating the throne.

Restoration of Orleans after the war

During the Second World War, the city in the period from 1940 to 1944 was in the hands of the German fascist troops. During its liberation, American aviation completely bombed the center of the city, most of the buildings and monuments were destroyed.

Therefore, in the post-war years, many buildings were rebuilt according to old designs and drawings, preserving the style, but taking into account modern transport possibilities.

Orleans, France: attractions

One of the symbols of Orleans is Joan of Arc, who is famous in this city as a warrior and a winner, therefore most of the city's sights are devoted to it.

The main cathedral of Orleans (France) - Saint Croix, built in the XIV century. In imitation of Parisian Notre-Dame. He was erected on the site of the temple, in which Joan of Arc celebrated the victory together with the army and the townspeople. On the east side the facade of the temple is made in the Gothic style, with the western - in a completely different, Romanesque. It happened because of the destruction of it in 1568 by the insurgent Huguenots. During the XVI-XIX centuries the cathedral was reconstructed, which was alternately attracted by completely different architects and builders. The last in time were built bell towers, from which, thanks to their height of 80 m, a beautiful view of the whole city. The stained glass of the cathedral illustrates the life story of a girl who saved the city from a siege.

In the central square of the city of Martroa stands a monument to the Maid of Orleans (sculptor D. Fuatier), and not far from it - a museum dedicated to her. The monument was erected in 1855 instead of the old one destroyed during the revolution, cast from obsolete English cannons and decorated with bas-reliefs telling about Jeanne's deeds.

, который занимается сбором всех документов, которые имеют отношение к ее жизни. In Orleans since 1974, there is the Center of Joan of Arc , which collects all the documents that are relevant to her life.

Museums of Orleans

One of the landmarks of the city, marked by the name of J. d'Arc, is the former home of the Duke of Orleans, in which she stayed for a few days in 1429. After reconstruction, there is the Museum of the History of France, which is called "The House of Joan of Arc", telling about Life of the Maid of Orleans from birth in one of the villages of Lorraine before the execution. One of the expositions tells about the siege of the city in 1429, exhibitions devoted to the Middle Ages are held.

The Historical and Archaeological Museum has been operating since 1823 and demonstrates to visitors Gallo-Roman finds (a collection of artifacts from bronze) discovered by archeologists in the second half of the 19th century, as well as exposition on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The museum exhibits various crafts and sculptures. It is located in the building of the Hotel Cabu, which was once called the House of Diana de Poitiers.

One of the most beautiful buildings in Orleans (France) is the Groslo mansion, built in the style of the Burgundy "tower" in the 16th century. Architect du Serso. For a while, King Francis II lived here , and in the years of the revolution the mayor's office was located. Interior interiors and furniture are left the same.

The Museum of Fine Arts presents works by French and European masters of painting, sculpture, furniture and dishes, including a series of works by artists of the 17th-19th centuries. In the technique of pastels (it is considered the second largest collection after the Louvre). There are halls of Art Nouveau and modernity, exhibitions are often held.

The royal bridge over the Loire is one of the attractions of Orleans (France) - built by the order of King George of the 5th, who loved to walk around and admire the city. It connects the banks of the greatest river of France, with the existence of which is linked the history and economy of the country. Modern youth use this place for evening walks around the city center.

The Museum of Charles Peguy, a native of Orleans, who became a poet and writer, is housed in a beautiful Renaissance mansion. His bust and works, stylized as medieval religious mysteries, are presented here.

Feast of Joan of Arc in Orléans

The first holiday in Orleans (France), dedicated to Joan of Arc, was arranged by the city authorities in 1435, during which the premiere of the play The Mystery of the Siege of Orleans, reproduced exactly all the events. It even involved one of the comrades-in-arms of Jeanne Gilles de Re, who partially financed the performance. The main characters are the Boy and the Modest, who were chosen by the townspeople and the mayor's office.

Since then, annually, on May 8, in the central part of the city, celebrations have been held, exceptions were made only during periods of religious wars. Over the past centuries, small changes have been made in the production, characters have been added, a ceremony of carrying the bust of the Virgin has been introduced.

In the XIX century. Under the rule of King Louis Philippe on May 8 was declared a national holiday, since 1920 the church and state holiday were united.