Orleans also written Orléans, is a suburban area located in the eastern part of the city along the Ottawa River, about 16 km (10 miles) from downtown Ottawa. The Canada 2006 Census gave Orleans a population of 95,491. It became a ward of the City of Ottawa in 2001.

Its first postmaster, Théodore Besserer, apparently named after his place of birth, the Île d'Orléans near Quebec City. Orleans was an incorporated police village from 1922 to 1974 and was then known as St. Joseph d'Orléans. The name corresponds to the main francophone Roman Catholic Church, Paroisse St. Joseph of which the older part of Orleans is built around, along St. Joseph Boulevard.  The community's name inspired the name of one its main roads, Jeanne D'Arc Boulevard, which wraps its way around the community. Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc) was a 15th century martyr who led the French army to victory in Orléans, France.

Largely a rural area for a great number of years, the first major suburban subdivision constructed in the community was the Queenswood Heights development starting in the late 1960s. Orleans has continued its steady growth as a suburban community since that time; its southern and easternmost boundaries continue to grow as more houses and businesses are built. Orleans continues to have a sizable French-speaking population.
Growth has focused around the Place d'Orléans shopping centre, a large shopping complex with over 175 stores anchored by Zellers, the Bay and the Bay Home Store. Orleans also has a fabulous new Empire Theatre complex with 6 theatres, and a massive Athletic Club.  Big-box stores dot the main thoroughfares, along with strip malls, restaurants, cafes, specialty shops, take-outs, fast food and many services.

The Elizabeth Manley skating rink at the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex is named for Ms. Manley who trained there and who won a Silver Medal in Women's figure skating in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. It is home to the Gloucester Skating Club and the Canadian Academy of Skating Arts. The skating club is well known for sending skaters to national and international level competitions. The Ray Friel Recreational Complex in the more eastern part of Orleans is home to a public library, a high school, an indoor wave pool, exercise facilities, a physiotherapy clinic, a sports store, a restaurant, two soccer fields and three skating arenas making it one of the main centres for recreation in Orleans.

Along the Ottawa River in the north-east of Orleans, is Petrie Island which is predominantly parkland located on several small islands. The islands are sandbars developed over time in the river. There was a facility extracting sand from the islands, but this has been closed and converted into a large beach area. Petrie Island is home to turtles in some of its sheltered lagoons and has a nature centre for learning more about the local environment. One section of Petrie Island has several homes, but the area is mainly parkland. There is a marina with canoe and kayak rentals.

There are also several nature trails and miles of bike paths throughout the area including the Bilberry Creek Trail and the Princess Louise Trail which Taylor Creek runs through and results in a beautiful waterfall.

Orleans is a relatively new self-contained, rapidly-expanding suburban area of affordable single family homes and townhomes with a French atmosphere and everything conveniently located within the community, yet only minutes from downtown.

where Fido is free to go “off leash”.  Nature trails are found throughout the area, and two incredibly picturesque water front parks, Andrew Hayden and Bell Park offer picnic tables, benches and waterfront walking trails.  In the summer, sailboats abound and sailboards and parasails thrill onlookers.  Bell Park also serves are a marina and boat launch, and Britannia Yacht Club is also a full service marina.

Bayshore Shopping Centre is a three level shopping venue, the largest in Nepean and includes an extensive variety of stores anchored by The Bay, Winners and Zellers.  Bells Corners is the heart of Nepean and is teaming with pubs, café’s, patios and restaurants including many ethnic choices as well as a variety of independent and specialty shops.  One of Ottawa’s main hospitals, the Queensway Carleton Hospital is located in Bells Corners.

Four urban golf courses are situated within Nepean’s boundaries, Stonebridge, Edgewood, and Cedarhill and golf fanatics will be excited to hear about Bent Grass which offers indoor games as well as golf lessons.

Like most large demographic areas, Nepean is a lively mixture of old established neighbourhoods with mature trees and landscaping and brand new modern living spaces.  Nepean has something for everyone, variety, choice, amenities, simple commuting, parks & recreation, nature and urban flair.