Restoration of the Loire riverbed at Orléans

Located right in the city centre, the project has been conducted so as to respect the remarkable character of the site by working with State departments specialising in the environment, heritage and landscape preservation (DREAL, DDT, DRAC, ONF, ONEMA, ONCFS). This work is being funded by the Centre Region (40%) and the State (60%). 

A strip of woodland will be kept to best preserve the Orléans landscape as well as the remarkable plant and animal species. What's more, any dead or sick trees across the area will be removed. Precautions of use will be taken to avoid the dissemination of invasive plants. 

This site is of particular interest for conducting archaeological digs as Orléans has expanded along the most northern meander of the Loire. A concentration of vestiges dating back to the Neolithic age seem to indicate that the Loire could at one time be crossed on foot – at least in the summer – at this spot. It was on these shoals that bridges would be built, first in the Gallic period and then in the Middle Ages.  

Download:

• Panel presenting the challenges

Online:

• Restauration du lit de la Loire à Orléans (Plan Loire Grandeur nature)
• Orléans, les aménagements des berges de la Loire ((Iconotheque of the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap))