Orleans is renowned for its rich historical past, serving as a strategic passage on the Loire. Its prestigious history aligns it with other significant cities such as Tours or even the capital of France. The city of Orleans was a kingdom in the Merovingian era before becoming the capital of the Robertians and the early Capetian Kings of France. This city was previously known by "Cenabum," then "Genabum," or "Aurelianum." According to archaeologists, excavations have revealed that the earliest sedentary human presence in Orleans dates back to the Lower Paleolithic period, precisely 12,000 years ago. With the fall of the Roman Empire, the city endured barbarian invasions, then, following the death of Clovis, the Kingdom of Orleans formed around it. In May 1429, Joan of Arc liberated Orleans from English rule, allowing France to be reconquered by King Charles VII. This event is commemorated each year by the French every May. During the Ancien Régime, Orleans became the capital of the former province of Orleans and the generality of Orleans, a status it held until the creation of the departments.

In the fourth century, a new stone and brick rampart was built, serving military, political, and symbolic purposes, associated with the emergence of local political powers, including the municipality reinforced by the city's status as a capital. During the Renaissance, Orleans experienced a cultural revival under the leadership of Charlemagne and his advisers Alcuin, an Anglo-Saxon deacon, and Theodulf, who was the bishop of Orleans in the years 780 and 790. This cultural renewal touched upon all aspects of literature, scriptural studies, academics, pastoral work, liturgy, theology, and art. From the 1100s, the city enjoyed an economic boom, followed by substantial social progress. Orleans received charters and institutions. Simultaneously, a bridge over the Loire, known as the "Pont des Tourelles," was built between 1120 and 1140. Vine cultivation flourished in the Loire Valley, reinforcing the region's dominant commercial role.

In the seventeenth century, studies of rhetoric, canon law, and Roman law brought fame to the Orleans center. Indeed, in 1235, Pope Gregory IX allowed the city to teach law, which had been banned since 1219 in Paris by Honorius III. It is also worth noting that Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, or Molière, came here to study law before the French Revolution. However, as he participated in the carnival, forbidden by the University's non-secular rules, he was expelled from school.

During the World Wars, Orleans suffered significant devastation, but, thankfully, it was the first city to be rebuilt in 1945, following the reconstruction and development plan led by Jean Kérisel and Jean Royer. Hence, there are numerous historical tours possible in a city so steeped in history like Orleans.