
Orléans
・Cathedrals and museums related to Joan of Arc
・Beautiful downtown area leading to the cathedral
【City description】
It’s a town famous for Joan of Arc because she released this city during the Hundred Years War. So, we can find her statue, her museum, her festival and her stained glass in the cathedral. You should visit the cathedral in particular.
【Overall rating】
★★★☆☆
【Time required】
4h30
【Budget】
12 euros
【Fatigue】
★★★☆☆
【Map and access to the Loire region】
①Orléans: The town where Joan of Arc was active
②Chambord: The largest castle in the Loire
③Blois: A rare castle that incorporates various architectural styles
④Beauregard: A castle with portraits and lapis lazuli
⑤Cheverny: A homely castle
⑥Chaumont-sur-Loire: A castle that hosts the International Garden Festival
⑦Amboise: The town where Da Vinci spent his later years
⑧Chenonceau: A castle run by a female lord that spans the river
⑨Loches: A town where beautiful women lived
⑩Tours: A base town for travel in this region
⑪Langeais: A town with the oldest remaining fortress in France
⑫Azay-le-Rideau: A beautiful castle that stands out on the water
⑬Chinon: The town of Joan of Arc and wine
⑭Saumur: A castle on a hill and a town of horse riding
⑮Angers: A castle with the world’s largest tapestry
⑯Nantes: A large town with an island of machines
Orléans can be reached by train from Tours in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Check here for area information around Orléans ! !
【Contents】
★=Must-see spots
◎=Recommended spots
Itinerary Map
Navigation
【Start】①Orléans Station
★Go to République St in front of the station. It takes 10 minutes.
②Martroi Square★Go to Royale St and turn left to go to Albanais St. It takes 5 minutes by walk.
③History and Archeology Museum★Continue to walk on the street and turn left. Then, turn right at the first crossroad.
④Sainte-Croix Cathedral★Exit the cathedral and turn right to go to the museum next door.
⑤Art Museum★Follow the tram tracks in front of the cathedral and head to the mansion on the left.
⑥Groslot’s House★Go to Bretonnerie St. When you arrive at République St, turn right and go back to the station with the same route. It takes 15 minutes by walk.
【Goal】Orléans Station
・If you open the enlarge button on the top right corner on your smartphone, this model course will be displayed on Google Maps along with its location information.
・You can also quickly return to this map from the table of contents in the sidebar (if using a smartphone, select “Go to table of contents” from the menu at the bottom of the screen).
【Start】
①Orléans Station
Gare d’Orléans
★Go to République St in front of the station. It takes 10 minutes.
②Martroi Square◎

Place du Martroi
Time required: 5 min
Admission fee: 0 euro
This is the plaza at the entrance to the city center. In the center is a bronze statue of Joan of Arc.
★Go to Royale St and turn left to go to Albanais St. It takes 5 minutes by walk.
③History and Archeology Museum◎

Musée Historique et Archéologique de l’Orléanais
Time required: 60 min
Admission fee: 8 euros
(comment ticket with ⑤)
Opening hour: 10 am – 1 pm / 2 pm – 6 pm
(open only in the afternoon from October to April)
Close: Monday, national holiday
This museum was built by renovating the Renaissance-style Capu building. There are exhibits such as the production process of animal statues, but the main attraction is the materials related to Joan of Arc. You can learn about her history, including paintings, photographs, and the Joan of Arc festival. There is also a joint ticket with museum ⑤.
★Continue to walk on the street and turn left. Then, turn right at the first crossroad.
④Sainte-Croix Cathedral★

Cathédral Ste-Croix
Time required: 20 min
Admission fee: 0 euro
Opening hour: 9 am – 6 pm
(until 7 pm in summer / until 5 pm in winter)
Close: No
The cathedral is built in Francois Gothic style with detailed carvings. The interior is just as luxurious as the exterior, and features the emblems of various communities. The life of Joan of Arc is introduced in 10 stained glass windows.
★Exit the cathedral and turn right to go to the museum next door.
⑤Art Museum★

Musée des Beaux Arts d’Orléans
Time required: 60 min
Admission fee: 8 euros
(comment ticket with ③)
Opening hour: 10 am – 6 pm
(until 8 pm on Thursday)
Close: Monday, Sunday morning, national holiday
This is an art museum right next to the cathedral. The entrance is on the opposite side of the street from the tram. The unique display methods, such as a room filled with portraits of saints, are also a highlight. It mainly exhibits classical paintings from Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and other countries, as well as works from France from the 17th to 18th centuries. A painting of Joan of Arc’s triumphal return is also displayed at the entrance.
★Follow the tram tracks in front of the cathedral and head to the mansion on the left.
⑥Groslot’s House◎

Hôtel Groslot
Time required: 60 min
Admission fee: 0 euro
Opening hour: 10 am – 12 pm / 2 pm – 6 pm
(10 am – 6 pm on weekend and in summer)
Close: national holiday
Opposite the museum is the residence of Jacques Groslot, magistrate of Orléans, which also incorporates Renaissance style. It was once also used as the city hall. The highlight is the gorgeous interior, which is as beautiful as the distinctive exterior walls. There is a bronze statue of Joan of Arc at the entrance. It’s more like a place to see the interior of a mansion than an art museum.
★Go to Bretonnerie St. When you arrive at République St, turn right and go back to the station with the same route. It takes 15 minutes by walk.
【Goal】
Orléans Station
Other cities recommended in Loire
Information about France
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