Top 15 Must-Experience Attractions in Orléans, France

In 1429, Joan of Arc liberated Orléans from a siege by the English, an event that remains deeply embedded in the city’s collective memory. Statues and dedicated museum exhibits celebrate her legacy, culminating in an annual festival each May that honors this significant chapter of history.

While many travelers flock to the Loire Valley’s châteaux, they often overlook Orléans, which boasts a wealth of historical treasures in its traditional center. Visitors can admire timber-framed houses and Renaissance mansions that reflect the city’s rich and tumultuous past marked by conflict, including violence from the English and the Huguenots.

Let us explore the most notable attractions in Orléans:

1. Parc Floral de la Source

As the most frequented attraction in the region, the Parc Floral de la Source is a semi-wild park adjacent to the university, offering a seamless transition from the urban environment to the natural landscape.

The park showcases diverse terrains including flat river plains where the Loiret springs, adorned with striking flower gardens (dahlias, irises, roses, and alpine flora), a vegetable garden, a butterfly house, and aviaries.

From here, you can ascend the hill to the Sologne Plateau, populated with dense oak and birch forests, as well as animal enclosures featuring Breton sheep and alpacas.

2. Orléans Cathedral

Upon viewing the grand cathedral situated at Place Sainte-Croix, it is challenging to envision the extensive damage this architectural marvel has endured throughout history.

The edifice was severely damaged by the Huguenots during the 16th-century French Wars of Religion.

Remarkably, the structure, which Joan of Arc attended for mass during the siege in 1429, was nearly entirely reconstructed between the 1700s and 1829. This period saw the addition of stunning stained-glass windows, which narrate the story of one of France’s most celebrated figures.

3. Musée des Beaux-Arts

If one appreciates the contemplative nature of art, a single visit may be insufficient to fully appreciate this expansive museum.

Housing thousands of artworks, around 700 are permanently displayed, including France’s second-largest collection of pastels after the Louvre.

For those pressed for time, be sure to seek out notable paintings by Velázquez, Correggio, van Dyck, Breughel, Delacroix, Courbet, Picasso, and Gauguin, along with rare prints by Albrecht Dürer and a sculpture by Rodin.

4. Place du Martroi

While the “Ligne A” tramline traverses the square, Place du Martroi has undergone significant pedestrianization in recent years.

Immediately striking is the grand statue of Joan of Arc on horseback, crafted in 1855 by Dennis Foyatier, which is mounted atop a considerable marble pedestal adorned with reliefs depicting the siege of 1429. A delightful fountain with jets emerging through the pavement is situated on the eastern side, and a traditional carousel can be found here for children during the summer months.

If one finds themselves weary from a day of exploration, taking a moment to relax at one of the café tables presents an opportunity to enjoy the Belle Époque and neoclassical architecture while savoring a café au lait.

5. Hôtel Groslot

Hôtel Groslot, formerly serving as Orléans’ city hall, originated as a mansion constructed in the mid-1500s for the city’s bailiff, Jacques Groslot.

Throughout the subsequent decades, it played host to numerous notable figures, including the young King François II, who passed away in what is now the wedding hall in 1560. Other distinguished guests included Mary Queen of Scots, Catherine de Medici, and subsequent kings Henri III and Henri IV. Visitors can enjoy free tours that elaborate on the royal connections, displaying period furniture, Aubisson tapestries, and insights regarding Joan of Arc’s involvement in Orléans.

6. Historic Centre

The historic district of Orléans is surprisingly expansive, extending well beyond the pedestrianized center.

Despite not all buildings being historic, this only enhances the appreciation for the charming half-timbered houses and Renaissance palaces.

To properly experience the old quarter, one might choose to enter Orléans via Rue de Bourgogne, a vibrant street lined with restaurants and bars running east to west, commencing several hundred meters from the heart of the city.

Distinctive colombages with painted timber frames coexist alongside 19th-century mansions, leading to a pedestrian-friendly environment where additional discoveries await.

Additionally, rue de la Bretonnerie, located just north of the cathedral, showcases numerous mansions built between the 1400s and 1900s.

7. Musée Historique et Archéologique

Housed in the 15th-century Hôtel Cabu, one of Orléans’ charming historical mansions, this museum displays a modest but fascinating collection of artifacts from the Loiret area.

One of the significant highlights is the Gallo-Roman Treasure of Neuvy-en-Sullias—an assortment of 30 bronze statuettes dating back about 2,000 years, unearthed from a sand quarry in the 19th century.

The collection includes depictions of various animals, such as boars and deer, along with mythological figures including Hercules and Mars.

Additionally, remnants of medieval architecture from the region have been carefully preserved, showcasing Romanesque capitals from the abbey of Benoît-sur-Loire, among others.

8. Île Charlemagne

Offering a serene escape for nature, sport, and relaxation, Île Charlemagne features a 70-hectare park and lake located on a large river island within the Loire.

During the summer, visitors can unwind on one of the two beaches or take a refreshing swim in the expansive 28-hectare lake.

Canoeing or kayaking is also available, allowing participants to enjoy a unique canoe trail, while children can enjoy the large adventure playground.

On land, amenities include ping pong tables, mountain biking trails, pétanque courts, and a pony center for young equestrians.

9. Collégiale Saint-Aignan

The unfinished Church of Saint-Aignan offers an insight into Orléans’ tumultuous history, telling more about the city’s past than a completed monument ever could.

Due to its proximity to the Loire and its location within a city suburb, the church was dismantled twice during the Hundred Years’ War to thwart English forces from converting it into a stronghold.

Moreover, a century later, the nave was destroyed by the Huguenots during the French Wars of Religion, leaving only the choir and transept standing today.

Despite its adversities, the crypt, dating back to the 1000s, remains intact, allowing visitors to explore its barrel vault ceiling and intricately sculpted capitals.

10. Loire à Vélo

The Loire River in this region of France features a lengthy cycle trail, expertly developed to provide a seamless riding experience. Orléans is situated near the eastern boundary of the Loire Valley, where adventurous cyclists can traverse all 314 kilometers to the coastal town of Saint-Nazaire, well equipped with bike stations and bicycle-friendly accommodations (Accueil Vélo) that offer tailored breakfasts for riders.

Along this leisurely stretch, cyclists are never far from impressive châteaux or vineyards, as the route meanders alongside lush orchards, forests, and even saffron farms.

11. Fêtes Johanniques d’Orléans

In the spring of 1429, Joan of Arc successfully liberated Orléans from English occupation, which had threatened the city for over six months.

This pivotal event is commemorated during the 10-day festival held from April 29 to May 8 each year.

Orléans reenacts Joan’s arrival in the city, complete with medieval attire, parading her through the streets much like the actions witnessed in the siege’s concluding days to elevate morale.

Additionally, there are contemporary pop and rock concerts for younger audiences, and historical sites in the city present special exhibitions to retrace the steps of this paramount heroine throughout Orléans.

12. Maison des Étangs

The Sologne Plateau, which lies just south of Orléans, presents a stark contrast to the wine-producing regions to the east and west.

Renowned for its marshes and ponds, this area has historically been only semi-habitable.

As one might expect, the inhabitants of the Sologne possessed unique lifestyles and traditional customs.

The Maison des Étangs serves as an ecomuseum within traditional timber houses located in the commune of Saint Viâtre, which hosts 135 individual ponds.

Visitors can delve into the craftsmanship behind flat-bottomed boats used in the local fishing industry and learn about the cultivation of hemp for nets and lines.

A typical fisherman’s home is adorned with period furnishings, providing insights into the freshwater fish and bird species that thrive in this distinctive environment.

13. Château de Chambord

In the early 16th century, a new type of stately residence emerged for the nobility and royalty along the Loire’s banks.

Informed by Italian Renaissance architecture, these châteaux were constructed for luxurious living and aesthetic appeal, departing from the defensive purposes of earlier fortifications.

The most impressive and perhaps essential of the Loire Valley’s renowned châteaux is Chambord, built by François I as an expansive hunting lodge, though its grandeur extends far beyond modest descriptions.

Château de Chambord is vast, recognized for its striking forest of chimneys and cupolas gracing the roof.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the wealth of historical facts, sprawling gardens, and architectural wonders, including the remarkable central double-helix staircase.

14. Château de Chamerolles

Located slightly closer than Chambord, Château de Chamerolles resembles a medieval fortress, having been built at the onset of the Renaissance.

After lying in ruins for decades, it has been fully restored and now houses a unique museum.

The Promenade des Parfums occupies the first and second floors, providing insights into regional perfume production from the 1500s to the 1900s.

The museum features a historic distillery, interactive exhibits for scent sampling, and an extensive collection of perfume bottles through the ages.

The formal Renaissance gardens are exquisite, demonstrating meticulous symmetry, particularly in the vegetable plots.

15. Local Delicacies

Orléans is surrounded by an AOC region famous for producing delightful white Chardonnays and reds made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes.

In the early days, when shipments of wine along the Loire soured, it was repurposed as vinegar.

By the Middle Ages, vinegar makers had formed a guild with the city’s apothecaries, and master “vinaigriers” branched out into producing pickles and mustard.

One notable master vinaigrier, Martin Pouret, offers visitors the chance to acquire a fine local gift or souvenir.

Additionally, other local specialties include quince jam, pear spirits, Chavignol goats’ cheese, and honey sourced from the Sologne region.