ORLEANS. The former capital of Orli.anais. France. and now the capital of the Department of Loiret, situated on the right bank of the Loire. spanned here by a magnifieent bridge, about 70 miles south-southwest of Paris ) Slap: France. 11 4). OrIC.ans lies on a forested plain. It is a well-eonstrueted city, with spa cious. regular streets and pleasant squares. The eity lies in a compact form. extends along the river lined with quays. and is bordered by a semicircle of connected and broad boulevards of the most modern type oecupying the site of the ancient fortifieation-. There is much curious ld timber arehiteeture to be found in the city. The noteworthy late-Oothie Cathedral of Croix dates from 1601. Its impressive fao le is ono of the town's attractions. The cathedral contains a decorative monument by Chaim.
The 116tel de Ville is of brick and stone, dating from 1530. It was reconstructed and enlarged in the last century. In the old 1150.1 de Ville are the municipal 11111,ell Ills of painting and sculpture and a museum of natural history. III the anvient and artistic de Cabut, formerly called in error the house of Diane de Poitiers, is the val uable Historical _Museum of Orkquis. The house of Agnes Sorel and the house where the Maid of Orleans lodged are still standing. The latter contains the highly interesting AlusCp Jeanne d'Are. This collection includes tapestries. stat ues. portraits, banners, etc., all et MNVet VII
it or illustrating the history of the heroine. Other interesting buildings are the prefecture. the Pal ace if Justice (1321), and the lit•tel Dieu, which is considered the most attractive hospital in the Itepublie. Or16:ins lugs an equestrian statue of the Maid of Orleans, and a bronze statue of the Republic, erected in 1350. Orleans is on the site of Genabam, the Gallic town burned in me. 52 by Cwsar to avenge the murder of 1Zoman traders. It was rebuilt by the Emperor Aurelian and named Aurefionam, whence its modern name. It was an important place under the Mcrovingians and continued to flourish under the kings of France; in 1309 it became the seat of a uni versity. During the Ilundred Years' INar with the English it wits distinguished for its loyalty. It was rebuilt by the English in 1423-29. and was relieved by the famous Maid of orleans Joan of Arc. It was a Huguenot stronghold during the religious wars. and while besieging it the Catholic leader, the Duke of Guise. was as sassinated in 1563. In the Franco-German War of 1870-71 several sanguinary battles were fought in the neighborhood; in October. 1570. it was oc cupied by the Germans. who were driven out a month later by the French ; in December, how ever. the city was recaptured by the Germans and held until the end of the war. Population, in 1901. 67.311.