Top 10 Things To Do In Orléans

Top 10 Things To Do In Orléans

Not to be confused for New Orleans in the USA, Orléans is located in France on the Loire River. New Orleans in the USA is however named after Orléans in France. Orleans’ history is characterized by turbulence and damage by world war 11, especially to buildings. The City, however, recovered beautifully to such an attractive tourist and university centre.

Your trip to Orléans will uncover historic sights as well as elegant white stone buildings and older half-timber buildings to boot. Let’s explore the top 10 things to do in Orléans.

1. Orléans Cathedral

Orleans Cathedral- by Honge- Wikimedia Commons

This majestic building is a force to reckon with and its magnificence dwarfs the structures around it.  The Cathedral is built in typical Gothic style and its towers are a whooping 80 meters high, with a central spire of 100 meters.

Take a peek inside to discover its slender columns and vaulted ceiling. Stained glass windows adorn its walls, as do scenes and episodes from the life of Jeanne d’Arc, who is a revered figure in Orléans for liberating Orléans from a siege by the English in 1429.

Looking at the Orléans Cathedral, you’ll find it hard to believe that it was once totally burnt to the ground during the French Wars of Religion in the 16th century.

2. Place du Martroi

Joan of Arc statue Place du Martroi- by Adam Bishop- Wikimedia Commons

Smack at the center of Orléans is this beautiful square that boasts a statue of Jeanne d’Arc on horseback, mounted on a huge marble pedestal that is very beautifully designed. This statue is quite the showstopper. The carousel also at the square should be a delight if traveling with kids.

Enjoy walking through the food market that sets up at the square on Fridays from around 4- 10 pm, or simply relax at a café within the square. You should be able to take keepsakes of photos taken at this square.

3. Hôtel Groslot

Hôtel_Groslot- by Evolutik- Wikimedia Commons

Once a private mansion, Hôtel Groslot was built renaissance- style in favor of Jacques Groslot, a lawyer and bailiff.  The residence became Orléans’ city hall during the Revolution.

What makes seeing this building one of the top 10 things to do in Orléans is its exquisitely done gardens and its 1850’s neo-renaissance extravagant interior décor. The house is so beautiful that its ornate bedroom is now hired out for weddings. The residence has also hosted royalty from the 1500s as you will learn when you take a free tour through it.

4. Orléans Old Town

Rue de Bourgogne- by Gilbert Bochenek- Wikimedia Commons

How about getting into this spot in Orléans just like Jeanne d’Arc did in 1429 when she took the city in triumph! Walk along Rue de Bourgogne as you get into the old town, where you’ll see cobbled streets with small gold discs on the ground that makes for an amazing path. You’ll also be welcomed to a pleasant street of restaurants and bars starting several hundred meters from the center.

In Old Town you will be treated to expansive spaces with historic buildings, renaissance palaces and half-timbered houses.  The rustic houses standing side by side with 19th-century mansions are quite the treat for your eye and camera. At the old town, you can walk and uncover something new at every turn.

5. Loire à Vélo

Pont de Châtillon- by Cjp24- Wikimedia Commons

Nothing like a bike ride along a dreamy path for tranquillity- take a bike tour at Loire à Vélo which stretches along a river and treats you to scenic views of château’s, vineyards, orchards, forests and saffron farms. Being one with nature as you visit Orléans will leave you refreshed, plus you’ll also have snuck in some fun exercise during your trip!

Orléans is near the eastern limit of the Loire Valley known for its beautiful castles or châteaux.

6. Fêtes Johanniques d’Orléans

Orléans fêtes johanniques- by Fab5669- Wikimedia Commons

As already established Jeanne d’Arc or Joan of Arc is a big deal in Orléans. She’s partly responsible for delivering France from English domination late in the Hundred Years’ War. She’s been celebrated from the time of her death at only about her nineteenth birthday, to date.

In April and early May of each year, Orléans puts up quite the show celebrating Jeanne d’Arc. If in Orléans between April 29 to May 8, you will catch the 10 days of Fêtes Johanniques d’Orléans and get treated to re-enactments of Jeanne d’Arc’s arrival to the city, pop and rock concerts and historical attractions on exhibit retracing Jeanne d’Arc’s steps through Orléans.

7. The Maison des Étangs

This is a plateau covered by a semi-natural forest of hornbeams and oaks. Discover the Sologne ponds at Maison des Étangs. Here you’ll get to gather a lot of pond history, operation, fish farming, fauna and flora, the ancient crafts used in pond operations, the manufacture of boats and a lot more. You’ll even learn how to clean a pond!

There is an actual pond house for your viewing pleasure. Check with the museum to schedule our visit as it is not open throughout. If visiting in a group, the museum charges € 4.5. Otherwise, it will cost you € 5 while it costs € 3 for a child.

8. Château de Chambord

Château de Chambord- by LaurentC92- Wikimedia Commons

Visit Château de Chambord and marvel at its very distinct French Renaissance architecture, a perfect balance between traditional French medieval forms and classical Renaissance structures.

Most Châteaux were built to serve as defensive fortes. Not so for Château de Chambord. It was built with an emphasis on luxury and aesthetics. You will observe this as you look at the multiple chimneys and domes on its roof- to put this into perspective, imagine 11 different kinds of towers and three types of chimneys, with massive towers on the buildings’ corners to boot!

Once you get inside this magnificence, you will discover many other elements of it that you might not find in a regular castle, such as the central double- helix staircase and the lighting that illuminates the castle.

9. Parc Floral de la Source

Parc floral de La Source Fontaine- by Gentil Hibou- Wikimedia Commons

Parc Floral de la Source is the definition of ‘as pretty as a picture’. This perfectly landscaped garden is spread out on a 35- hectare property. You can walk through and see the great gardening at the dahlia garden, the vegetable garden, the Iris garden, the rose garden and the last garden which hosts River Loiret’s source. On offer is also a large aviary and exotic butterfly house.

The amazing Parc Floral de la Source holds an annual rose show that you can catch if your Orléans trip falls in September. This sanctuary is open every day of the week from 2 to 5 pm. If traveling with children, get them to learn about the environment and how to take care of it at the shows designed for the whole family held between April and September.

You can also visit the park at nighttime to enjoy a show on a Saturday night as you take in Parc Floral de la Source’s beauty that will definitely hit differently at night.

10. Musée des Beaux-Arts

Musée des beaux arts- by Romainbehar- Wikimedia Commons

This diverse museum opens its doors daily except Mondays, where you can take your pick as far as the selection of exhibits open to viewing. The museum is rich in artworks, paintings, sculptures and many more.

Your attention might be drawn towards the Cabinet des Pastels collection which displays all the splendor of major 18th-century works. For approximately two hours you will be immersed in your artistic choice, on an unaccompanied or guided tour if you request for one.

This city does not run out of historical buildings and magnificent things and places to see. These top 10 things to do in Orléans will give you the satisfaction of sampling the diverse things you could do while there- from the historical and secular landmarks, Orléans is sure to leave you more than content with the information gathered and the beautiful spots visited.