Seven centuries in a medieval fortress

Château de Sully-sur-Loire is a medieval fortress that traces seven centuries of history. Those interested in architecture and historic sites will find other, very different ways to explore Loiret: Château de Chamerolles devotes its Promenade des parfums to the history of perfume and personal care. In Gien, Château-musée combines a history of construction dating back to 1482—it is considered an example of pre-Renaissance architecture—with an interactive museum about hunting techniques and the history of hunting in the Loire Valley.

The museums also explore a range of themes. The Musée départemental de la Résistance et de la Déportation in Lorris presents wartime events and everyday life under German occupation through contemporary documents, accounts, objects and weapons. The Musée de la Faïencerie de Gien offers guided visits to its collection, conferences and factory tours. Formats and dates may change, so check the latest schedule if you are planning one of these visits.

By the water and on two wheels

The Canal d’Orléans stretches for 80 kilometres of waterways and has 27 locks. Excursions by bike, boat and on foot are possible along the canal, and there are also two leisure centres. If you are considering a boat trip, check the current navigation conditions in advance. The waterways and locks give the canal its distinctive character, while the different ways of getting around offer a variety of options for an outing.

For cycling holidays, La Loire à Vélo offers 155 kilometres of routes in the Loiret area. The Loiret section runs from Beaulieu-sur-Loire to Tavers. The route uses paved greenways, minor roads and low-traffic roads. When planning your trip, it is worth considering the different types of paths as well as the direction: paved sections and lightly trafficked roads are distinct features of the route.

Forest diversity and the banks of the Loire

The Forêt d’Orléans is home to more than 180 bird species and over 730 plant species. Among them are 30 plants considered rare at national or regional level. The forest is also home to 11 diurnal and 4 nocturnal birds of prey, including ospreys. This diversity makes the Forêt d’Orléans a special point of interest for anyone interested in plants and birdlife.

The banks of the Loire near Mareau-aux-Prés offer a different kind of nature experience: you can follow an educational trail there. The route offers another perspective on the riverside landscape, alongside the longer cycling routes and excursions on the Canal d’Orléans.

The cultural landscape of the Loire Valley extends beyond Loiret: it stretches for 280 kilometres from Sully-sur-Loire, east of Orléans, to Chalonnes. Sully-sur-Loire is therefore one end of this expansive landscape.

Regional specialities and long-standing traditions

Culinary discoveries also have their own places and stories. Cendré d’Olivet is a cow’s milk cheese that originated in the Loiret area and is now made in Châteauneuf-sur-Loire. In Jargeau, charcutiers have been making andouille sausage for nearly nine centuries. Pithiviers traditionally comes in two forms: a glazed almond cake or a puff pastry version. These specialities differ not only in their ingredients, but also in their time-honoured methods of preparation.

Viticulture is associated with a clearly defined landscape: the Coteaux du Giennois wine-growing area spans five communes between Gien and Beaulieu-sur-Loire and has held AOC status since 1998. In Orléans, meanwhile, the vinegar-making tradition is linked to a process whose principles were set out in a royal decree in 1580. Maison Martin-Pouret has been making vinegar in Orléans since 1797. Together, these examples show the different ways regional specialities can be explored through their places, production methods and long histories.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mormant-sur-Vernisson, Lorcy, Ardon, Orléans, Sully-Sur-Loire, Viglain, Ligny-Le Ribault, Thou, Douchy, Faverelles, Gien, Jouy-Le-Potier, Baccon, Épieds-En-Beauce, Ingrannes, Moulon, Beauchamps, Lorris, Vitry-Aux-Loges, Villemandeur, Saran, Saint-Jean-Le-Blanc, Saint-Jean-De-Braye, Pithiviers, Olivet, Montargis, La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin, Fontenay-Sur-Loing, Châlette-Sur-Loing, Beaugency, Amilly, Montoire, Ousson-Sur-Loire, Briare, La Ferté-Saint-Aubin, Combreux, Artenay, Césarville-Dossainville, Cerdon, Beaulieu-Sur-Loire, Cravant, Augerville-La-Rivière, Chilleurs-Aux-Bois, Saint-Père-Sur-Loire, Nogent-Sur-Vernisson, Pannes, Sury-Aux-Bois, Baule, La Bussière, Bellegarde, Lailly-En-Val, Meung-Sur-Loire, Sennely, Yèvre-La-Ville, Saint-Benoît-Sur-Loire, Engenville, Laas, Ferrières-En-Gâtinais, Sandillon, Châteauneuf-sur-Loire, Courtenay, Germigny-Des-Prés, Cernoy-En-Berry, Saint-Ay, Jargeau, Château-Renard, Malesherbes, Boismorand, Messas, Batilly-En-Puisaye, Vrigny, Le Bignon-Mirabeau, Bou, Bonnée, Donnery, Corbeilles, Ormes, Puiseaux, Barville-En-Gâtinais, Saint-Brisson-Sur-Loire, Chaingy, La Cour-Marigny, Saint-Péravy-la-Colombe, Saint-Maurice-sur-Aveyron, Bonny-sur-Loire, Santeau, Neuvy-en-Sullias, Triguères, Dordives, Pierrefitte-ès-Bois, Treilles-en-Gâtinais, Saint-Maurice-sur-Fessard, Coullons, Châtillon-Coligny, Patay, Vennecy, Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin, Châtillon-sur-Loire, La Selle-en-Hermoy, Cléry-Saint-André, Combleux, Oussoy-en-Gâtinais, Nangeville, Girolles, Tavers, Dampierre-en-Burly, Ouzouer-sur-Loire, Gidy, Tigy, Saint-Florent, Châtenoy, Poilly-lez-Gien.

For the broader travel overview: Centre.