Jardin de la Charpenterie à Orléans © Orléans Val de Loire Tourisme Jardin de la Charpenterie à Orléans © Orléans Val de Loire Tourisme
Share by email

A great day out

See Orleans the way you want to

Visiting Orleans for the day ?

By all means, take your time and explore the city at your own pace! But to truly make the most of your day trip, check out our non-exhaustive list of the top sites and must-see attractions in Orleans !

a Loire et les duits à Orléans © Orléans Val de Loire Tourisme

Heritage and culture

On arrival, fall under the spell of the streets of Orleans with their magnificent medieval and Renaissance half-timbered houses

The city centre is full of surprises, for those with an eye for detail!

Next, delve into the city’s rich history and heritage—by simply following your nose, signing up for a guided tour or downloading an app like ‘Les Témoins d’Orléans’ or ‘GéoMOTifs’—and spend some time in the city centre discovering architectural gems or more cool and unusual sights such as the street art that you might miss if you don’t look hard enough…

History buffs and museum aficionados, make sure you plan time to see some of Orleans major landmarks: Joan of Arc in her many depictions starting with the equestrian statue on Place du Martroi; Sainte-Croix Cathedral, Hôtel Groslot and the Fine Arts Museum, one of the most fascinating and oldest museums in France.

Also don’t miss Hôtel Cabu – the city’s history and archaeology museum, the Centre Charles Péguy dedicated to the French poet, la Maison de Jeanne d’Arc, the FRAC (regional contemporary art collection) Centre-Val de Loire, and the sombre but important CERCIL and museum and memorial to the child victims of the Vel d’Hiv round-up.

Les maisons à pans de bois dans le centre ancien d'Orléans © Orléans Val de Loire Tourisme
Balade sur les quais de Loire à Orléans © Christophe Mouton

Orleans at your leisure

Orleans is an incredibly green destination.

Nature lovers are spoilt for choice with excellent walks around the old city port, bike rides along the banks of the Loire, or exploring by boat on France’s longest river, Orleans canal or the Loiret, a tributary of the Loire.

Get out in nature in the Parc Floral de la Source or one of the many other parks and gardens in Orleans. Affording panoramic views of the Loire, La Charpenterie hanging garden is certainly worth a detour.

Orleans for foodies

Every region of France has its own culinary traditions and Orleans is no exception!

The region boasts a wide selection of products and producers: AOC Orleans and Orleans-Cléry wines; vinegars and condiments from Martin Pouret; Les Cafés Jeanne d’Arc; Olivet pear brandy; La Johannique craft beer; Orleans macaroons; Cotignac made from quince jelly; Mazet pralines; Le Chécy and Olivet cow’s milk cheese; Jargeau sausage, and more local specialities.

During your stay in Orleans, book a table at one of the many traditional French restaurants in Orleans or the neighbouring towns to sample all the regional treats and Loire Valley produce.

Macarons d'Orléans, spécialité culinaire d'Orléans © Orléans Val de

Orleans, wide open spaces as far as the eye can see

Treat yourself to a city break in Orleans for a day out or longer stay…

Orleans lies at the crossroads of the Sologne region, Orleans Forest and the Loire Valley and its famous châteaux such as Chambord, Blois, Amboise, Cheverny, Meung-sur-Loire, Beaugency, Sully-sur-Loire… So many adventures to be had.

And all just one hour from Paris!

Staying connected Together
Follow us

#orleanstourisme