Orléans Cathedral

Orléans Cathedral (also known as the Cathédrale Sainte-Croix) was built in the late 10th century, and has since been remodelled multiple times. In 987, Orléans became a royal city, and the construction of the cathedral was patronised by Hugh Capet; building work lasted for more than a century. The importance of the city rivalled that of Paris. The medieval city was severely damaged during the Hundred Years War with England and the Wars of Religion. In 1599, work began on rebuilding the cathedral and was commissioned by King Henry IV. However, this was not complete until the 19th century.

Since 1862, the cathedral has been designated a monument historique, one of 156 such sites in Orléans and is amongst the oldest of them (especially since few of the city's medieval buildings survive). The cathedral Sainte-Croix is owned by the French state and open to the public.