The Duchy of Orléanais (French pronunciation: [ɔʁleanɛ]) is a former province of France, which was created during the Renaissance by merging four former counties and towns.

In 1375, Prince Philip died without a legitimate heir, the title of 'Duke of Orléans' and the duchy itself were merged into the royal domain (crown lands) of the King of France.

The new province incorporated local counties, including the Orléans, Blois, Vendôme, Chartrès, and Étampes.

With the duchy absorbed into the royal domain, it was transformed into a province (really a military district instead of the equivalent of an English county or American state).

[8] The first category's military governor was to be a Marshal of France, the second class were reserved for Lieutenant Generals, and the special regions were assigned by the King.

[4][5][6][7][8][9][11] Some communes joined other départments, including: A governor of a province in France before the revolution was initially the representative of the King in the area and held no real power.

Until the transformations under Louis XIV, the governorship of a province was more of a de jure appointment, and had no status in decision making.

Orléanais included the following: Beauce, Blésois, Vendômois, Bas-Vendômois, Chartrès, Dunois, and Gâtinais (only part).