Homes for Sale in Orleans | Maison Property Group
A bilingual east-end community with Ottawa River waterfront, Francophone roots, and suburbs that feel genuinely lived-in.
Living in Orleans
Orleans has the strongest Francophone identity of any Ottawa suburb, roughly a quarter of the population reports French as their mother tongue, the main streets carry both "rue" and "street" signage, and the CECCE and CEPEO (French-language) school boards are a major presence. The neighbourhood grew from a 19th-century Francophone farming settlement into a 1970s and 1980s suburban expansion, and it was part of the City of Cumberland before amalgamating with Ottawa in 2001.
Today Orleans is a patchwork of distinct communities: Avalon to the south with its newer builds and young families, Fallingbrook and Chapel Hill in the middle with established 1990s and 2000s homes, and Queenswood Heights near the river where buyers come for waterfront access and mature trees. Cardinal Creek, on the eastern edge, is the newest frontier. For buyers priced out of closer-in neighbourhoods, Orleans consistently offers more square footage per dollar and a genuine sense of local identity.
Orleans Market Snapshot
Properties for sale right now
Across active listings
Min to max across active listings
Data sourced from active MLS listings via the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB). Updated hourly; numbers reflect the current snapshot across all Orleans communities.
Housing stock in Orleans
Orleans housing spans a wider age range than Kanata or Barrhaven, from 1970s-era raised bungalows in Queenswood Heights to brand-new builds in Cardinal Creek and Avalon South. Detached homes dominate, with townhomes concentrated along Innes Road and in newer Avalon pockets. Condo inventory is thinner but growing near Place d'Orléans and along the Trim Road corridor, partly in anticipation of the Stage 2 LRT extension. Waterfront properties on the Ottawa River, though rare, do come up in Queenswood Heights and are a distinctive feature of this neighbourhood.
Typical home types you'll see:
- Detached homes across all eras (1970s to new construction)
- Freehold townhomes along Innes Road and Avalon
- Condos near Place d'Orléans
- Rare waterfront singles in Queenswood Heights
Schools in Orleans
French-language education is Orleans' distinctive feature. CECCE (French-Catholic) and CEPEO (French-public) both have a strong network of elementary and secondary schools here, many of them rated highly in provincial results. English-language families have the full range of OCDSB and OCSB options, and most schools at all levels offer French-immersion streams. Dual-language households are common, and many Orleans kids graduate fully bilingual, a real advantage for federal public service careers.
- École secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloges
- CECCE French-Catholic high school.
- École secondaire publique Louis-Riel
- CEPEO French-public high school.
- Cairine Wilson Secondary School
- OCDSB public high school with arts program.
- St. Peter Catholic High School
- OCSB English-Catholic high school.
- École élémentaire catholique Des Pins
- Elementary French-Catholic school.
CECCE and CEPEO (French-first boards) alongside OCDSB and OCSB (English boards). Genuinely strong bilingual education environment.
Transit & commute from Orleans
Orleans is at the receiving end of the biggest transit upgrade in its history: the Stage 2 Confederation Line LRT extension, which will terminate at a new Trim Road station in Orleans. When fully open, it will replace the express bus network with a one-seat light-rail ride to downtown. Until then, Orleans commuters rely on Place d'Orléans and Trim park-and-ride lots that feed a Connexion bus network down Highway 174 (the former Queensway extension). Car commutes to downtown run roughly 25–40 minutes depending on traffic.
Key transit routes
- Future Trim LRT station (Stage 2 extension)
- Route 35, Orléans to Hurdman
- Route 39, Avalon to downtown
- Connexion buses from Place d'Orléans Park & Ride
Highway & road access
Highway 174 (former Queensway east extension) runs along the northern edge. Innes Road provides east-west connection to Highway 417 via Blair Road.
Amenities & lifestyle in Orleans
Orleans' biggest lifestyle advantage is its Ottawa River frontage. Petrie Island has genuine sandy beaches, kayak rentals, and summer concerts; Princess Louise Falls is a small but surprising waterfall a short walk from the Queensway. Place d'Orléans is the main shopping anchor with a full mall and surrounding big-box plazas. St. Joseph Boulevard carries much of the dining scene, with a strong showing of French-Canadian and bistro-style restaurants that reflect the neighbourhood's demographics. Centrum Park hosts the annual Orléans Festival in the summer.
Parks & outdoor spaces
- Petrie Island (beaches, kayaking, Ottawa River access)
- Princess Louise Falls
- Centrum Park
- Pine Hill Park
Shopping & commercial
- Place d'Orléans (mall)
- Innes Road big-box corridor
- St. Joseph Boulevard (dining + local retail)
- Trim Road Shopping Centre
Ready to see what's on the market in Orleans?
Active MLS listings across all 33 Orleans communities, filterable by price, bedrooms, and property type, updated hourly from the Ottawa Real Estate Board feed.
Orleans Real Estate FAQ
Common questions from buyers and sellers looking at Orleans: schools, commute times, housing stock, and local market conditions.
Is Orleans a bilingual neighbourhood?
Yes, meaningfully. Roughly a quarter of Orleans residents report French as their mother tongue, city services in Orleans run in both languages, and the full range of French-first school options (CECCE and CEPEO) is available. Many families raise fully bilingual children here, which is a real long-term asset in the Ottawa job market.
When will the LRT reach Orleans?
The Stage 2 Confederation Line extension east to Trim Road is in construction, bringing light rail service to Orleans residents for the first time. Opening dates for Ottawa LRT phases have shifted historically, so verify the current schedule with OC Transpo before basing a purchase decision on proximity to a specific station.
Which part of Orleans has the best value for new buyers?
Cardinal Creek and Avalon South have the newest construction and tend to offer more square footage for the dollar. Chapel Hill and Fallingbrook offer established 1990s–2000s homes with mature landscaping at mid-range prices. Queenswood Heights is older stock but close to the river; prices vary widely by street.
What's the commute to downtown Ottawa like from Orleans?
By car via Highway 174, the commute is roughly 25 minutes outside rush hour and 40–50 minutes in peak traffic. Connexion buses from Place d'Orléans or Trim park-and-rides offer reliable express service at commute hours. Once Stage 2 LRT opens, the same trip will shift to light rail.
Are there waterfront homes available in Orleans?
Yes, though inventory is limited. Queenswood Heights has the most Ottawa River waterfront properties, with direct river views or water access. These homes come up infrequently and tend to command a premium over equivalent inland homes, worth having an agent set up alerts if waterfront is a priority.
How does Orleans compare to Gloucester for families?
Orleans skews slightly newer and more suburban, with more Francophone amenities, while Gloucester has a mix of older homes and central access to the Greenbelt. Families prioritizing French-language schools and Ottawa River access tend to favour Orleans; families wanting shorter downtown commutes or proximity to the airport often prefer Gloucester.