Day 1 in Orléans

Welcome to Orléans! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Make your transfer to your destination, arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

Begin your afternoon getting acquainted with the city. The main area for visitors is around the cathedral and along Rue Jeane d`Arc, the region of the town between here and the Loire river. The Pont Georges V bridge, about .3 miles to the south, and also north of Rue Jeanne d`Arc to the Place du Martroi, Rue d`Escures and the Hotel Groslet all constitute the main areas of attractions.

Start your exploring in Place du Martroi, which is a large open square surrounded by numerous impressive buildings, a pleasant area of the city. In the center of the square, there is a large 19th-century statue of Joan of Arc. The streets here contain many of the larger shops, such as FNAC.

Take a relaxing lunch before heading down Rue d`Escures towards the east. One of the most splendid houses in Orléans is here, Hôtel Groslot in Place de l`Etape, built between 1530 and 1550. Take a look inside this very ornate and extravagant redbrick building and get the insight on the royal connection of the mansion.

As evening approaches, wind down over a relaxing dinner at one of the charming restaurants in the Historic center of Orléans, a large area between the river and the cathedral. Enjoy some French cuisine and take in the ambiance of the city at night. Stroll down the many interesting cobbled streets and admire the picturesque houses and specialty shops. Get lost strolling down the many interesting cobbled streets and admire the picturesque houses and specialty shops. Make sure you go down to the Loire river and enjoy the water front in the evening as well.

Day 2 in Orléans

Start your day early at the magnificent Cathedral Saint-Croix. This is the most important historical monument in the city, a 17th-century gothic cathedral with very old origins that have a great deal of impressive stonework ornamentation.The façade features three large round windows and two square towers. This church is where Joan of Arc prayed during the Orléans campaign and where you will find 10 stained-glass windows showing scenes from her life.

Near the cathedral you can also see a part of the walls that surrounded the original Roman town.

After exploring the cathedral walk straight along the Rue Jeanne d`Arc, the broad avenue to the front of the cathedral created at the beginning of the 19th-century, at least as far as Place Charles de Gaulle. This is not the most beautiful square in the town but it is here that you can see the historic `house of Joan of Arc`, spend some touring the house. Reconstructed after the bombings of 1940, here you can find interactive displays that retrace the history of the `Maid of Orléans` and the end of the siege of the city on May 8, 1429. Upstairs, the Center Jeanne d`Arc brings together everything that has been said, written or filmed regarding Joan of Arc and her era.

From here, head south until you reach the Loire River. Enjoy a peaceful stroll along the famous French River or take a walk over the stone bridge that crosses to the other side of the river and enjoy impressive views back across the town and cathedral.

Spend the remaining part of you afternoon at Parc Floral de la Source (about a 20-minute tram ride out of the city). Here you can revel in one of the area`s loveliest green spaces. Spread over 86 acres, the park is home to everything from an iris garden to an enormous soft lawn (la Grande Prairie) to Le Jardin des Formes, where trees have been trimmed into cloud-like shapes and other different forms. Make sure to stop in the butterfly house, one of the main features, where you`ll find exotic species from as far away as Indonesia and Madagascar.

In the evening, head out to where all the action is along rue de Bourgogne, as well as rue Bannier. These streets offer numerous bars and restaurants, from modern settings to down-home English pubs and everything in between. There`s something for everyone at night along these streets.

Day 3 in Orléans

Wake up early today, grab a croissant and head out to discover more sights of Orléans. Make your way to the medieval Crypt of Saint-Aignan, a subterranean ensemble of chapels dating from the early middle ages, and the remains of the Minimes convent and cloister.

Spend your afternoon at the most important museum in Orléans, the Museum of Fine Arts. Here you`ll find an extensive collection of paintings and art works, mostly dating from the 16th to 18th centuries. On the top floor, you`ll discover Italian Renaissance pieces by Correggio, Tintoretto and Veronese. The lower level is home to a bit of Gauguin (who grew up partly in Orleans) and the colorful, cartoonish `Nature Morte aux Deux Parapluies` (1948) by Jean Hélion, a humorous still life of two umbrellas on a stool that seems to pre-figure Pop Art.

Spend the last part of your day strolling around one of the several beautiful parks and gardens in Orléans. The Parc Pasteur and the 19th-century botanical gardens at Jardins des Plantes are definitely both worth a visit. Relax and take in the fresh air as you stroll around the beautiful outdoor ambiance.

Alternatively, enjoy the remaining part of your day exploring the interesting streets of the city. Although much of Orleans was destroyed during Word War II, there is still plenty remains to discover. The Old Town, near the river features old brick buildings on narrow streets. Pop into some of the antique shops located along the rue de Bourgogne. Many shops and restaurants can be found in the newer areas, which are located further away from the riverfront.

After a busy day of sightseeing, head back to your hotel for a good night rest.

Additional Days in Orléans

Should you be able to spend additional days in Orleans we recommend you take a day trip to the many charming towns located on the Loire River.

Beaugency is a quiet town located in the`Valley of the Kings`, on the Loire River between Blois and Orléans in the Loiret department. It is a very pleasant town with a colorful history, which means there are many interesting sights and historical monuments to be seen. Wander through the ancient center, discover the medieval churches, and check out the historical monuments. Make sure to take a stroll by the charming historical port area of the town to discover the small traditional houses in the region that was once the thriving center of Beaugency.

Another enjoyable day trip we recommend is the Arboretum des Grandes Bruyeres, located 18 miles east of Orléans in the heart of the Orléans forest. This is a lovely arboretum, created in 1972, whose main features include a North American woodland garden, an Asiatic woodland garden and of course lots of heather - bruyeres is the French name for heather. Here, you can explore more than 6,500 trees and shrubs of 1,400 species. The gardens are beautifully laid out and there is something to see for every season (though closed in the winter).

Your Last Day In Orléans

Depart your hotel for the airport for the airport or train station where you will head home or make your way to more European adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time in Orléans and the Loiret department of France.