Editing Orléans (section)

===1700–1900===
When France colonised America, the territory it conquered was immense, including the whole [[Mississippi River]] (whose first European name was the River [[Jean-Baptiste Colbert|Colbert]]), from its mouth to its source at the borders of Canada. Its capital was named ''[[New Orleans|la Nouvelle-Orléans]]'' in honour of [[Louis XV]]'s regent, the [[Philippe II, Duke of Orléans|duke of Orléans]], and was settled with French inhabitants against the threat from British troops to the north-east.

The Dukes of Orléans hardly ever visited their city since, as brothers or cousins of the king, they took such a major role in court life that they could hardly ever leave. The duchy of Orléans was the largest of the French duchies, starting at [[Arpajon]], continuing to [[Chartres]], [[Vendôme]], [[Blois]], [[Vierzon]], and [[Montargis]]. The duke's son bore the title ''duke of Chartres''. Inheritances from great families and marriage alliances allowed them to accumulate huge wealth, and one of them, [[Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orléans|Philippe Égalité]], is sometimes said to have been the richest man in the world at the time. His son, King [[Louis-Philippe of France|Louis-Philippe I]], inherited the Penthièvre and Condé family fortunes.

1852 saw the creation of the ''Compagnies ferroviaires Paris-Orléans'' and its famous [[gare d'Orsay]] in Paris. In the [[Franco-Prussian War]] of 1870, the city again became strategically important thanks to its geographical position, and was occupied by the [[Prussia]]ns on 13 October that year. The ''[[armée de la Loire]]'' was formed under the orders of [[Louis d'Aurelle de Paladines|General d'Aurelle de Paladines]] and based itself not far from Orléans at [[Beauce, France|Beauce]].