Orleans is a city in north-central France located about 130 km (81 miles) south-west of Paris. It is the capital of the Loiret department in the Centre-Val de Loire region. The city has a rich history and is known for being the site of the famous siege of Orleans in 1429 during the Hundred Years' War, led by Joan of Arc.

Orleans has many historical and cultural attractions, including the House of Joan of Arc, where Joan of Arc is said to have stayed, and the famous Gothic-style Orleans Cathedral, built between the 13th and 17th centuries. The city also has several museums, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, which has a collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, and the Museum of Natural Sciences, which features exhibits on the region's flora and fauna.

Orleans is also famous for its cuisine, which includes local specialties such as andouillette (a sausage made from pork intestines) and cotignac (a jelly made from quince). The city hosts several annual events, such as the Orleans Jazz Festival, the Orleans Wine Fair, and the Fêtes de Jeanne d'Arc, a celebration of the city's liberation during the Hundred Years' War.