Place du Martroi, Central square in Orléans, France.
Place du Martroi covers approximately 9,200 square feet (2,800 square meters) in central Orléans and features an equestrian statue of Joan of Arc surrounded by 18th-century buildings with classic French facades.
The square was originally a necropolis during the Gallo-Roman period and later served as a wheat market in 1516, with its current layout redesigned in 1754 to create new public spaces.
The square features an equestrian statue of Joan of Arc erected in 1855 that commemorates the national heroine who played a decisive role in the liberation of Orléans during the Hundred Years' War.
The square is accessible by the modern tram system that traverses the area and offers pedestrian zones with nearby cafes, shops, and underground parking facilities for visitors exploring the city center.
Archaeological excavations beneath the square have revealed continuous occupation since the 2nd century BC, including Gaulish homes made of wood and cob with traces of earthen floors and hearths still visible today.
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