Orléans, the capital of the department of the Loiret and the Centre region of France (no not Tours) is a city that has struggled to return to former glories after being devastated during World War II. History has not been kind to the city what with the Romans, Attila the Hun and the English all doing their best to wipe it out even before then. A few historic buildings have survived and they, along with the obvious Joan of Arc connection keep it on the Loire Valley tourist map. *The season of festivals throughout the summer can make it a lively place.

If you visit the tourist office they'll provide you with an itinerary to enable you to visit the main sites of interest in the city and appreciate the Romanesque churches, the many examples of renaissance architecture, the half timbered houses and the various museums throughout the city.

The three main places of interest have to be the impressive cathedral St.Croix Hotel Groslot (former Hotel de Ville) and the re-creation of Joan of Arc's house on Place General-de-Gaulle.The kids might enjoy this more than adults so be sure to give a little insight in to her history as an introduction.

The Groslot mansion has played host to a number of the kings of France and is worth a visit -don't miss its small but pretty little garden.

For 'culture vultures' there is also the large Musee des Beaux-Arts to keep you happy.

Don't miss taking the kids, especially the younger ones, to Parc Floral de la Source a 32 hectare site which has everything from a butterfly kingdom ,kid's play area, puppet shows and glorious garden displays. It can be found south of the river in the direction of St-Cyr-en-Val. There is however an entrance fee:  Adults- 6 euros kids 6 to 16 - 4 euros under 6 free.

go to website  Parc Floral de la Source

*Fetes de Jeanne d'Arc

From 29th April to 10th May 2009, the 580th anniversary of the liberation of Orleans by Joan of Arc is celebrated by a series of events including :medieval festival and market, concerts, exhibitions, sound and light displays plus various processions commencing with 'Joan' entering the city through the 'Port de Bourgogne' on the 29th.

The high points of these festivities are on the 7th and 8th May with the ceremony of the "standard" handed from the mayor to the bishop, the commemorative parades, concerts in the town and a firework display on the facade of the cathedral.

Medieval market at the Campo Santo.

*Festival de Loire d'Orleans 
 

Over 5 days, from 23rd to 27th September, the town of Orléans pays tribute to the Loire and its boating heritage. The “Port of Orléans”, is formed for the occasion consisting of over 1000 m of quays. where you will find the biggest gathering of French riverboats: sapines, toues, gabarres, futreaux, chalands, yoles, plates… - mainly from the Loire but also from other French and Dutch rivers.

You will be able to see the boatmen give nautical demonstrations: fishing demonstrations, unloading goods, manoeuvres plus boat trips…

  As part of the festival a Ramberte – a large boat transporting coal – will be built before your very eyes. Visitors can also discover all the related trades – cooper, rope-maker, ironmonger, joiner, sawyer, etc.

The Port of Orléans is the venue for a great many performances – no fewer than forty shows – with music, dance, roundabouts plus street theatre.

In the evening, water, fire and light will be the elements in fairytale shows: luminous water-jet near the lock, braziers along the Châtelet quay, fire processions in canoes, and, the highlight, a major fireworks display on the Loire, on Saturday 22 September.

The river heritage of the Loire Valley will also be displayed through  workshops, tasting of regional produce at the “Village de Loire”, seminars, etc, throughout the five days on the quays and in the town.

Full programme at: www.festivaldeloire.com

 Rue de Bourgogne is home to the majority of bars, pubs and nightlife of Orleans.

Getting around:

Trams and buses run throughout the city and run to the town of Fleury-lès-Aubrais.

The trams run from the city centre down main street to the outlying small towns and suburbs.

The best way to see Orleans however is by foot or bike as it is not a large place with many of the attractions near to each other.  Bike rental stations allow you to ride from point A to B cheaply.

 Back to top.