Orleans, France - one of the oldest cities, sometime the second largest in the country, became famous for the victory over the British, which was headed by the famous Joan of Arc. Now the city is a large industrial, winemaking and perfumery center of France. It attracts tourists with its rich history and architectural monuments.
Orleans story
The founders of the city are the Gaul tribes, who built it as a port on the Loire River and used it as the 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 Aurelianum (1275). This name has been around for 17 centuries, during which, due to phonetic transformations in the language, it began to read like 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, which was ruled by relatives of the French monarchs.
The geographical location of Orleans was chosen due to its proximity to the river trade routes along which ships brought goods from all over the world to France. Then they were transported by land to Paris, located just 100 km from the city.
Over the past century, Orleans was repeatedly attacked and waged, and in the VI century. for 38 years it becomes the religious center of the country due to the church cathedrals (priest meetings) held here. For some time after the division of the Frankish state, the city becomes the capital of the Orleans kingdom. Starting from the X century. it is considered the second city in France, giving way only to Paris in importance.
One of the important events took place in the XIII 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 before the beginning of the XIX century.
In the XV century. a significant event took place in Orleans that left its mark in 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 "Orleans Maiden" .
Another memorable date in French history, but more tragic - in 1572 there was Bartholomew’s night in this city, which became the finale of the religious war between the Huguenots and Catholics. Almost one thousand Huguenots died here by violent death on one night.
The city survived another siege in the 1870s, and then was captured by the Prussian army.
The return of power to the Bourbon dynasty
The beginning of the XIX century. 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 his exile, tried to return to power. However, his 100-day rule ended with the rout that the combined armies of England and Prussia inflicted on him at the Battle of Waterloo. After this, Napoleon was exiled to the island of St. Helena.
Beginning in 1814, the stage of the Restoration of the Bourbons and Orleans in France begins in history. First, Louis XVIII came to power, then Charles X, who were brought by the younger brothers to the king Louis XVI executed in 1792 during the First French Revolution . 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 old, he left unchanged the Civil Code and the administrative structure of the state, with him the French Constitution was adopted, modeled on the English.
Charles X had intentions to promote the party of ultra-royalists to government posts, but since 1827, after the elections, liberals began to come to the posts of ministers. In France, the Bourbons and Orleans (8th grade studies this at the lessons of history) as a result of an incorrect government policy and the discontent of ordinary citizens, a situation developed that led to another revolution.
Revolution of 1830
July 1830 was marked by a revolution in Paris, during which Charles X was overthrown, and the last French king Louis Philippe I, Duke of Orleans (wore the title since 1800) sits in his place.
From the revolution until the end of 1848, France, the Bourbons and Orleans, adhered to the policy of the Reformed Charter (1830), the basis of which was religious equality, the reorganization of suffrage and the weakening of the influence of royal power. In this regard, Louis Philippe received the nickname "citizen king." The period of his reign was accompanied by the instability of the country's social life, the numerous conspiracies of his opponents, republican uprisings and even attempts on his life.
The situation of the poor in France, the Bourbons and Orleans, did not change from the revolution of 1830 either: after the economic recovery in the early 1840s, a recession began, unemployment began to grow, and the impoverishment of workers continued. Beginning in 1846, a depression ensued in the country's economy, accompanied by peasant unrest. February 1848 was marked by the erection of barricades in the streets of Paris and popular unrest, this was the beginning of the Second Republic. King Louis Philippe fled to England, abdicating the throne.
Restoring Orleans after the war
During the Second World War, the city from 1940 to 1944 was in the hands of Nazi troops. During his release, American aviation completely bombed the city center, most of the buildings and monuments were destroyed.
Therefore, in the postwar years, many buildings were rebuilt according to old designs and drawings, preserving the style, but taking into account modern transport capabilities.
Orleans, France: Attractions
One of the symbols of Orleans, the townspeople consider Jeanne d'Arc, who in this city became famous as a warrior and a winner, so most of the city's attractions are dedicated to her.
The main cathedral of Orleans (France) - St. Croix, built in the XIV century. in imitation of the Parisian Notre Dame. It was erected on the site of the temple, in which Joan of Arc celebrated the victory along with the army and the townspeople. On the east side, the facade of the temple is made in the Gothic style, on the west - in a completely different, Romanesque. This happened due to its destruction in 1568 by the rebellious Huguenots. During the XVI-XIX centuries, the cathedral was reconstructed, to which completely different architects and builders were alternately involved. The most recent bell towers were built, from which, thanks to their height of 80 m, a beautiful view of the whole city opens. The stained glass windows of the cathedral illustrate the life story of a girl who saved the city from a siege.
On the central square of the city of Martrois is a monument to the Virgin of Orleans (sculptor D. Fuatier), and not far from it there is a museum dedicated to her. The monument was erected in 1855 instead of the former destroyed during the revolution, cast from obsolete English cannons and decorated with bas-reliefs telling about the acts of Jeanne.
In Orleans, since 1974, the Joan of Arc Arc Center exists, which collects all the documents that are relevant to her life.
Museums in Orleans
One of the sights of the city, marked by the name of J. d'Arc, is the former house of the Duke of Orleans, in which she stayed for several days in 1429. After the reconstruction, there is a museum of French history called the "House of Joan of Arc", which tells about life of the Orleans virgin from birth in one of the villages of Lorraine to execution. One of the expositions tells about the siege of the city in 1429, exhibitions are held devoted to the period of the Middle Ages.
The Historical and Archaeological Museum has been operating since 1823 and shows visitors the finds of the Gallo-Roman era (a collection of artifacts from bronze) discovered by archaeologists in the second half of the 19th century, as well as expositions from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The museum exhibits various crafts and sculptures. It is housed in the Hotel Cabo, which was once called the House of Diana de Poitiers.
One of the most beautiful buildings of Orleans (France) is the Groslo mansion, built in the style of the Burgundian "tower" in the XVI century. architect du Cersault. King Francis II lived here for some time, and during the years of the revolution the city hall was located. The interiors and furniture are left the same.
The Museum of Fine Arts presents the works of French and European masters of painting, sculpture, furniture and tableware, including a series of works by artists of the 17th-19th centuries. in pastel technique (considered the second largest collection after the Louvre). There are halls of art of modernity and modernity, exhibitions are often held.
The Royal Bridge over the Loire - one of the attractions of Orleans (France) - was built at the direction of King George 5th, who loved to walk on it and admire the city. It connects the banks of the greatest river in France, the existence of which is connected with the history and economy of the country. Modern youth uses this place for evening walks in the city center.
The museum of Charles Peggy, a native of Orleans, who became a poet and writer, is located in a beautiful mansion in the Renaissance style. Here are his bust and works stylized as medieval religious mysteries.
Celebration of Joan of Arc in Orleans
The first holiday in Orleans (France), dedicated to Jeanne d'Arc, was organized by the city authorities in 1435, during which the premiere of the production of “The Mystery of the Siege of Orleans”, which reproduced exactly all the events, took place. It even involved one of the associates of Jeanne Gilles de Re, who partially funded the play. The main characters are Otrok and Shy woman, who were chosen by the townspeople and city hall.
Since then, annually, on May 8, a celebration has been held in the central part of the city, an exception was made only during periods of religious wars. Over the past centuries, small changes have been made in the production, characters were added, a ceremony of carrying the bust of the Virgin was introduced.
In the XIX century. under the reign of King Louis Philippe, May 8 was declared a national holiday, since 1920 the church and state holidays were combined.