Orleans, the capital of the department of the Loiret and the Centre region of France (no not Tours) is a city that has struggled to return to former glories after being devastated during World War II.
History has not been kind to the city what with the Romans, Attila the Hun and the English all doing their best to wipe it out even before then. A few historic buildings have survived and they, along with the obvious Joan of Arc connection keep it on the Loire Valley tourist map.
The season of festivals throughout the summer that the city hosts can however make it a lively place.