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Orléans, France Travel Guide | |
| Just a hour south of Paris by train, Orléans is the city of Joan of Arc. You can visit it for the day, or overnight on your way to the châteaux of the Loire. | ||
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Orléans, in the northeastern Loire Valley 135 km (84 miles) south of Paris (map), is an attractive, historic city famous for Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc), "the maid of Orléans." It's close enough to Paris for you to visit on a day-trip from the French capital. You may also pass through on your way to visit the châteaux of the Loire. More... Joan of ArcWith Orléans under siege (1428-29) by the English during the Hundred Years' War, Charles VII of France feared that if Orléans fell, all of France would follow. He sent Joan of Arc with troops on a relief mission. On 7 May 1429, nine days after their arrival, the siege was lifted, the English retreated, and France was saved from total conquest. Memories of the inspirational 19-year-old female warrior are everywhere in the city. Most prominent is the huge equestrian statue in the central Place du Martroi. More... Orléans ArchitectureOrléans is a pleasant city for walking, with beautiful, impressive buildings in every direction, from the gigantic Cathedral of the Holy Cross to the noble buildings framing the Place du Martroi, the rebuilt 15th-century House of Joan of Arc and the elaborate turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau Rue de la République. More... Many of the fine buildings at the northern end of the Rue de la République, near the Gare d'Orléans SNCF, are hotels. More... TransportationOrléans, only an hour south of Paris, is a major transportation point for the Loire Valley. The city has two train stations, but you'll probably only use one, the central Gare d'Orléans SNCF, which is also the center of the city's public transportation system of trams and buses. More...
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Statue of Joan of Arc in Place du Martroi,
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