The first cathedral on this site was built during the VIIth century, and was already named Sainte Croix (Holy Cross) at this time. Various cathedrals and chapels, alternately of Roman and Gothic style succeeded to one another on the site, destroyed and reconstructed in function of historical events and religious wars.

Henri VI, , On August 9, 1599, Henri VIth decides on the reconstruction, financed by the royal treasure. He inaugurated the work site on April 18, 1601.
The construction of the cathedral took over 200 years as it only was officially inaugurated on May 8, 1829 on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the liberation of Orleans by Joan of Arc.