Orleans (; French: ; officially and in French Orléans) is a former town municipality and current satellite suburban community in the east end of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, along the Ottawa River about from Downtown Ottawa. In the Canada 2021 Census the population was 125,937. Before being amalgamated into Ottawa in 2001, 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. According to the 2021 census, 75,453 people lived in the Cumberland portion of Orleans, and 50,484 lived in the Gloucester portion. Today, Orléans spans the municipal wards of Orléans East-Cumberland, Orléans West-Innes, and Orléans South-Navan. Orléans contains a significant francophone population and strong francophone culture.
In the 1830s, the earliest known pioneers, one of which being François Dupuis, arrived at the current Orléans area, and named the area after the French city of Orléans, France. The original name of the community was "Saint-Joseph d'Orléans", which corresponded to the Roman Catholic parish of the predominantly French-speaking community. The name is used today by the road St-Joseph Blvd, which is one of Orleans' major main streets, and one of its oldest. The name is also used by the community's oldest church, St-Joseph d'Orléans Parish. In 1880, the area consisted of 43 Anglophone families and 131 Francophone families. According to the Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical Names files, an application for establishment of a post office was made in 1859 and granted in 1860.
Culture in Orléans is one of the most independent from all the municipalities incorporated into Ottawa. Orléans has a strong bilingual population and francophone community and culture. A large part of the population is Franco-Ontarian. Since 1994, "Orléans" has been officially spelled with an acute accent on the "e", in both French and English. Orléans has a strong sense of pride, and residents of the suburban community often refer to themselves as being from Orléans as opposed to Ottawa. Many businesses, locations, events, in Orléans are named after Orléans or incorporate Orléans into their name. Orleans is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and has a blend of suburban and rural areas. The Shenkman Arts Centre, a hub for creativity, offers a rich array of performances, exhibitions and workshops. The centre hosts theatre productions, concerts and art exhibitions, while also providing space for local artists to engage with the community. Orleans has a strong car culture, with car related meets and events happening often in the summer within the community, most often related and themed around classic American cars. Orleans Comic Book & Novelty Show is a comic con that takes place in Place d'Orléans shopping centre and is inspired by but fully separate from the Ottawa Comiccon. The convention is hosted every few months in Orleans by Entertainment Ink. Orléans is home to numerous parks, fields, farms, beaches and green spaces, notable of which include Petrie Island Beach, Bilberry Creek Trail, Princess Louise Falls, Millennium Park and Apollo Crater Park.
Orléans Blvd, Champlain St, Jeanne-d'Arc Blvd, Des ÃÂpinettes Ave, St-Joseph Blvd, Charlemagne Blvd, Innes Road, Tenth Line Road Trim Road, Portobello Blvd. and Mer Bleue / Brian Coburn are all key roads with a surrounding of residential neighbourhoods, businesses, stores, parks and significant Orléans locations.
The main highway linking Orléans to central Ottawa to the west is officially known as Ottawa Regional Road 174 and forms part of the Queensway.
A memorial diorama and by Bruce Garner was erected August 13, 2000 in the Memorial Park near Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 632 to remember Canadians who served in wars and as peace keepers. The park is located close to Petrie Island Beach, and is located on Taylor Creek Drive. The park features memorial plaques, statues, Canadian and Ontarian flag, and benches overviewing them. The Legion has ongoing activities, which include an annual Remembrance Day ceremony.