Discover Orléans from different perspectives: the Loire shapes the surrounding landscape, while museums and historic sites offer insights into art, the natural world and the city’s history. When planning your visit, you can focus on walks, collections or the legacy of Joan of Arc.
Riverside walks and gardens
The Loire, France’s longest river, flows through Orléans from east to west, offering residents and visitors an impressive landscape. On the left bank, the quays along the Loire have been redesigned for pleasant walks. The river and its quays therefore provide two clear starting points for a stay that includes scenery and outdoor activity.
The Parc floral de La Source offers a different perspective: this 35-hectare garden has been awarded the “Jardin Remarquable” designation. It is also home to the source of the Loiret, described as a place where the Loire re-emerges. The park thus combines gardens with a special connection to the course of the river.
The Parc floral offers playgrounds and leisure activities such as Rosalie pedal cars, mini golf and go-karts. An exotic aviary, a butterfly area and an educational mini-farm add to the selection. Visitors who would rather focus on nature than on rides and games will also find plenty of things to explore in the park.
Natural science and art collections
The Muséum d’Orléans pour la Biodiversité et l’Environnement, or MOBE for short, is dedicated to natural heritage and scientific culture. Spread across five floors, it displays 1,200 exhibits and samples from a total collection of 455,000. These figures put the selection on display in the context of the museum’s larger collection.
Immersive areas explain how habitats came about and function, both in the past and today. The MOBE thus complements the perspectives offered by the Loire and the Parc floral with a scientific exploration of habitats. For art, the Musée des Beaux-Arts offers a different approach: its chronological route features more than 13,000 works and traces art from the 15th to the 20th century.
The Musée des Beaux-Arts regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, talks, guided tours, creative art workshops, events and meet-ups for all age groups and audiences. The collection and events programme offer different points of focus: the gallery route explores art across several centuries, while changing formats introduce further themes and perspectives.
Architecture and Joan of Arc
Since 2009, Orléans has been part of the French “Ville et Pays d’art et d’histoire” network. The city’s architectural history can be explored through specific sites. The Hôtel Groslot is a Renaissance building with a red-brick façade. It was built between 1549 and 1558 for the city bailiff, Jacques Groslot. Initially a private residence, it was converted into Orléans City Hall after the French Revolution.
At the Cathédrale Sainte-Croix, construction and official consecration were centuries apart: work began in 1287, and the cathedral was consecrated on 8 May 1829. A playful treasure hunt takes visitors through the cathedral, exploring its history and works over time. It is available in two versions.
The legacy of Joan of Arc is also present in Orléans in several ways. Since 2018, the Fêtes de Jeanne d’Arc have been listed as part of France’s intangible cultural heritage. The ten days of festivities bring together civil, military and religious traditions; the specific programme varies from year to year.
The Maison de Jeanne d’Arc is a 1960s reconstruction of a half-timbered house, modelled on the residence of Jacques Boucher. He was the general treasurer to the Duke of Orléans and hosted Joan of Arc during the Siege of Orléans, from 29 April to 9 May 1429. A multimedia room shows a panoramic film about the Hundred Years’ War, the life of Joan of Arc and her legacy in Orléans. Interactive displays, an illustrated timeline and a map of her historic route complete the presentation.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Chaingy, La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin, Lailly-En-Val, Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin, Saint-Jean-De-Braye, Pannes, Cernoy-En-Berry, Montoire.
Back to the main travel overview: Loiret.
