Orléans, Ontario

Orléans is a suburban area in eastern Ontario, which became part of the city of Ottawa in 2001. It is located in the eastern part of the city along the Ottawa River, about 16 km (10 miles) from downtown Ottawa. The estimated 2005 population of Orleans is about 100,000. The Canada 2001 Census gave Orleans a population of 84,695.

Prior to 2001, the community of Orléans was spread over two municipal jurisdictions, the eastern portion being in the pre-amalgamation City of Cumberland, the western portion in the City of Gloucester.

The community is thought to have been named by its first postmaster, Théodore Besserer, after his place of birth, the Île d'Orléans near Quebec City. Orleans was an incorporated police village from 1922 to 1974 and was known as St. Joseph de Orleans.

The community's name Orleans, apparently inspired the name of one its main roads, Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard, which wraps its way around the community. Jeanne D'Arc (Joan of Arc) was the young martyr from Orléans, France.

Orleans has continued its steady growth as a suburban community since the late 1970s; its southern and easternmost boundaries continue to grow as more houses and businesses are built. Orleans continues to have a sizeable French-speaking population.

The traditional centre of the area has been the Place d'Orleans shopping centre, a large shopping centre (with over 175 stores) just off the Queensway, although new business areas on Innes Road at Tenth Line Road and in the vicinity of Trim Road on the eastern end of the area have also been built recently.

The Elizabeth Manley skating rink at the Orleans Sportsplex is named for Ms. Manley who trained there and who won a Silver Medal in Women's Figure Skating in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.