Orléans Cathedral

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The facade of 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.^[1][2] In 1599, work began on rebuilding the cathedral and was commissioned by King Henry IV. However, this was not complete until the 19th century.^[3]

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.^[4][5]

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