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Origin and history

The Orléans courthouse, located between the streets of Bretonrie and Alsace-Lorraine, is an emblematic neoclassical building of the first half of the 19th century. Built according to the plans of architect François-Narcisse Pagot, it replaces the old church of Oratorians and the convent of Ursulines. His first stone was laid on 14 November 1821 by Mr. Arhuys, First President of the Court of Appeal, and its inauguration took place on 3 November 1824. The sculptures, including the two stone lions placed on the porch, are the work of the sculptor Romagnasi.

The palace, originally designed to house local jurisdictions, quickly experienced space problems. Despite extensions in 1968 and 1986 to accommodate the Tribunal de Grande Instance and other services, its original architecture was partially preserved. The courtroom of the first civil chamber, adorned with panelling, paintings and tapestries, was included in the inventory of historical monuments in 1992.

The neoclassical building is distinguished by its four doric columns, triangular pediment and two stone lions. It now houses an appellate court, a high-level court, a district court, a commercial court and a labour council. Two commemorative medals, engraved by Alexis-Joseph Depaulis, mark its construction (1822) and inauguration (1827).

Among the notable cases dealt with in this palace are that of the voluntary mGMO mowers in 2005 and the Véronique Courjault case in 2007-2008. Eva Joly, a future magistrate and politician, served as deputy prosecutor from 1981 to 1983.

The palace occupies a central place in the judicial history of Orleans, reflecting both the architectural evolutions and the growing needs of French justice over the centuries. Its interior remains, like the Oratorian arcades, recall its historic anchoring in the city.

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