The back of the church | ©Anecdotrip.com / CC-BY-NC-SA
Do you know saint Aignan? He was the first bishop of Orléans. In the 5th century, he defended the city against the terrible Huns!
In the beginning of the 6th century, a basilica was raised in order to accommodate Aignan's body.
The church was many times destroyed (notably during the Hundred Years War), but always rebuilt.
The current Gothic church was raised in 1439, ordered by king of France Charles VII. King Louis XII finished it in 1509.
During the French Revolution, the basilica was converted into a tent factory! Then, its religious functions were given back in 1802.