Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire, France — Joan of Arc's Historic City on the Loire River

Pourquoi Séjourner à Orleans

Orleans is the historic gateway to the Loire Valley, a city that blends medieval grandeur with modern French living. Situated on the northern bend of the Loire River, this is the city where Joan of Arc famously liberated the English siege in 1429, cementing her place in French history and turning Orleans into a pilgrimage site for history lovers from around the world. The Joan of Arc story pulses through every corner — from the magnificent equestrian statue on Place du Martroi to the Maison de Jeanne d'Arc museum and the soaring Gothic Cathédrale Sainte-Croix where she attended mass in celebration of her victory.

The cathedral alone is worth the journey. Sainte-Croix d'Orléans is one of France's most impressive Gothic cathedrals, its twin towers rising 81 metres above the city skyline. Construction began in the 13th century and continued for nearly 500 years, producing a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with stunning 17th-century stained glass windows depicting Joan of Arc's life. The cathedral's massive organ, restored facade, and intricate stone carvings make it a highlight of any visit to the Loire Valley.

What sets Orleans apart from its more touristy neighbours Tours and Blois is its authentic, lived-in character. The old town (Centre-Ville) is a maze of narrow streets lined with half-timbered houses, artisan shops, and bistros serving Loire Valley specialties. The quays along the Loire River have been beautifully restored, creating a 12 km promenade for walking and cycling that forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Loire Valley. Parc Floral de la Source, a 35-hectare botanical garden just south of the city, showcases the region's rich biodiversity with themed gardens, greenhouses, and a butterfly house.

For wine lovers, Orleans sits at the heart of Loire Valley wine country. The nearby appellations of Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Quincy, and Reuilly produce some of France's finest white wines. Orléans vineyards, though smaller than their neighbours, have been revived in recent years and produce distinctive local wines worth discovering. The city's covered market Les Halles and the Saturday market on Place du Martroi are perfect places to sample regional cheeses like Crottin de Chavignol and Sainte-Maure de Touraine, along with Orléans vinegar — a protected product made using traditional methods since the 14th century.

Booking an eco-friendly hotel in Orleans through EcoHotels IMPT means every night's stay removes 1 tonne of CO₂ from the atmosphere — the same environmental impact as taking a car off the road for an entire month. With access to 8 million hotels worldwide and over 25,000 green-certified partners, you get exactly the same prices as Booking.com while making a measurable impact on the planet. New users receive £5 free credit on their first booking, plus 5% cashback in IMPT tokens. Whether you're exploring Loire châteaux, cycling the Loire à Vélo trail, or soaking up the Joan of Arc history, Orleans rewards sustainable travellers with an authentic, crowd-free French experience.

Orleans at a Glance

Getting the Most From Your Visit

Getting There: Orleans is one of the easiest French cities to reach from Paris. Direct TER trains depart from Paris Gare d'Austerlitz every hour, taking approximately one hour and costing from £25 when booked in advance online. By road, the A10 motorway connects Paris to Orleans in about 90 minutes — the city sits 130 km south-west of the capital. Orléans Loire Valley Airport (ORE) handles private and charter flights, but most international visitors fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Paris Orly (ORY) and take the train south. From CDG, allow about 2 hours via RER B to Paris then TER to Orleans. The city's tram network (two lines, A and B) plus the TAO bus system make getting around without a car straightforward. A single tram ticket costs around £1.60, and day passes are available for unlimited travel.

Getting Around: The historic centre is compact and walkable — the cathedral, Place du Martroi, the riverbanks, and most attractions are within a 15-minute walk of each other. For longer journeys, the Vél'+ bike-sharing scheme offers affordable bike rentals with stations across the city. Orléans is also the perfect starting point for cycling the legendary Loire à Vélo route, a 900 km signposted cycle path that follows the Loire River from Cuffy to the Atlantic coast. The section from Orleans east to Blois (60 km) is flat, traffic-free, and passes through charming riverside villages and past several châteaux.

Day Trips: Orleans makes an excellent base for exploring the Loire Valley's most famous châteaux. Château de Chambord, France's largest château with its iconic double-helix staircase, is a 45-minute drive east. Château de Blois, home to seven French kings, is 30 minutes by car or 35 minutes by train. Château de Chenonceau, the elegant riverside château spanning the Cher River, is about an hour's drive. Château de Cheverny, known for its lavish interiors and as inspiration for Hergé's Moulinsart, is 40 minutes away. Each château offers guided tours, extensive gardens, and often light-and-sound shows in summer.

Best Time to Explore: The Joan of Arc festival (Fêtes de Jeanne d'Arc) in early May is the city's biggest event, with medieval parades, historical re-enactments, and costumed processions. The Festival de Loire in September brings traditional wooden boats and river-themed celebrations to the quays. Summer (June to August) is warm and lively, perfect for river cruises and cycling. Spring and autumn offer mild temperatures with far fewer tourists — ideal for quiet exploration of the châteaux.

Où Séjourner — Areas of Orleans

Éco-Hôtels à Orleans

Que Faire à Orleans

Sainte-Croix Cathedral

Orleans's magnificent Gothic cathedral is one of France's largest. Built between the 13th and 18th centuries, its twin towers rise 81 metres above the city. The interior features breathtaking 17th-century stained glass windows depicting the life of Joan of Arc, a massive organ with over 4,000 pipes, and a crypt dating from the original 11th-century church. Free entry. Open daily 9am-7pm. Guided tours available in English.

Maison de Jeanne d'Arc

A faithful reconstruction of the house where Joan of Arc stayed during the Siege of Orléans in 1429. The museum uses multimedia exhibits, artefacts, and immersive displays to tell the extraordinary story of the Maid of Orléans — from her childhood in Domrémy to her military campaign and tragic execution. Entry £4. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-6pm. Located at 3 Place de Gaulle.

Parc Floral de la Source

One of France's finest botanical gardens, 35 hectares of themed gardens, greenhouses, and natural landscapes 8 km south of the city centre. Highlights include the systematic garden (organised by plant family), Japanese garden, rose garden, Mediterranean greenhouse, and butterfly house. The park is also home to the source of the Loiret River. Entry £6.50. Tram B from the centre to "Parc Floral" stop.

Loire à Vélo Cycling Trail

The world-famous Loire à Vélo cycle route passes directly through Orleans. From the city, you can cycle east towards Blois (60 km, 3-4 hours) on a flat, traffic-free path that follows the Loire River through charming villages and past vineyards. Bike rental available at Orleans train station from around £15/day. The entire 900 km route stretches from Cuffy to the Atlantic coast.

Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Orléans

Housed in the former Episcopal Palace next to the cathedral, this fine arts museum boasts an impressive collection spanning the 15th to 20th centuries. Works include pieces by Velázquez, Van Dyck, Gauguin, and Picasso, along with an outstanding collection of French sculpture and decorative arts. Entry £6. Closed Tuesdays. Free on the first Sunday of each month.

Château de Chambord

France's largest and most iconic Loire Valley château, located 45 minutes east of Orleans by car. Leonardo da Vinci is believed to have influenced its extraordinary double-helix staircase. The château features 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces, and an expansive park the size of inner Paris. Entry £16. Direct trains from Orleans to Blois then bus connection.

Château de Blois

The royal residence of seven French kings and 10 queens, just 35 minutes from Orleans by train. Blois is unique among Loire châteaux for its four distinct wings spanning the Gothic, Flamboyant Gothic, Renaissance, and Classical architectural periods. The sound-and-light show in summer is spectacular. Entry £13.50. Trains run hourly from Orleans.

Château de Cheverny

Known for its lavish 17th-century interiors and perfectly maintained formal gardens, Cheverny is 40 minutes from Orleans and served as the inspiration for Captain Haddock's château Moulinsart in the Tintin comics. The château still hosts the Hurault family descendants and features a fascinating kennel of over 100 hunting hounds. Entry £13.

FRAC Centre-Val de Loire

The Régional Contemporary Art Fund is housed in a striking modern building in central Orleans. The collection focuses on architecture and contemporary art, with rotating exhibitions of avant-garde works. The building itself, with its reflective metallic facade, is a work of art. Entry £5. Closed Mondays.

Hôtel Groslot

This stunning 16th-century Renaissance mansion on Place de l'Étape now serves as Orleans's city hall. The building features a beautiful courtyard, grand reception rooms, and the room where King Francis II died at age 16 in 1560. Free guided tours reveal the history, architecture, and tapestries. Open weekdays during office hours.

Loire River Cruises

From April to October, several operators offer boat cruises on the Loire River from Orleans. Options range from 1-hour sightseeing trips to full-day excursions that combine château visits with river navigation. Traditional wooden toue boats (replicas of historic Loire cargo boats) offer a particularly authentic experience. Prices from £12 per person.

Recommended Randonnées & Guides

Quais de la Loire Promenade

A 4 km round-trip along the restored Loire River quays, starting from Pont George V and heading east past the cathedral views to Parc de la Loire. The path is flat, wheelchair-accessible, and lined with benches and information panels about the river's ecology and history. Allow 1 hour, easy difficulty. Combine with a visit to the cathedral for a half-day city stroll.

Parc Floral Nature Trail

A 3 km self-guided walking trail through the Parc Floral de la Source, following the marked botanical route that winds through the systematic garden, Japanese garden, and along the Loiret River source. Interpretation panels identify trees, plants, and wildlife. Allow 1 hour, easy difficulty. Entry to the park is £6.50. The trail is suitable for all fitness levels and family-friendly.

Loire à Vélo — Orléans to Blois Section

One of France's premier cycling routes, this 60 km section from Orleans to Blois follows the Loire River east through Meung-sur-Loire (12 km), Beaugency (25 km), and Muides-sur-Loire (50 km) before reaching Blois. The entire route is flat, traffic-free, well-signposted, and passes several châteaux including Meung-sur-Loire and Talcy. Allow 3-4 hours cycling time, plus stops. Bike rental from £15/day at Orleans station.

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