Things to Do in Orléans

Orléans packs a surprising amount into its compact centre. The city lives and breathes Joan of Arc , she liberated it from an English siege in 1429 , but there’s more here than medieval history. You can stand beneath one of France’s most striking Gothic cathedrals, cycle the Loire à Vélo route along Europe’s last wild river, explore the Musée des Beaux-Arts (provincial France’s richest art collection outside Paris), and use the city as a base for the Loire Valley’s châteaux. Here are the best things to do in Orléans, with opening hours, ticket prices, and practical tips.

Things to Do in Orléans: Historic Landmarks and Museums

Cathédrale Sainte-Croix

Orléans’ Gothic cathedral dominates the city skyline with twin 88-metre towers visible from across the Loire. The original 13th-century structure was mostly destroyed during the Wars of Religion in 1568. The current building , started by Henri IV in 1601 and finally completed in 1829 , is a blend of Gothic and neo-Gothic. Inside, the 10 nave stained-glass windows tell the story of Joan of Arc in vivid cobalt and gold panels. Entry to the cathedral is free. It’s open daily from 9:15 to 18:00 (until 19:00 in July and August). The towers are sometimes open for climbing in summer months , check at the tourist office on Place du Martroi for dates. The son-et-lumière show projected onto the cathedral facade runs on summer evenings (free, 22:30 in July and August, 22:00 in September). Metro: Tram A to De Gaulle stop, then a 3-minute walk.

Maison de Jeanne d’Arc

Joan of Arc stayed in this half-timbered 15th-century house during the siege of Orléans in April and May 1429. The building was reconstructed after wartime damage in the 1940s and now houses a multimedia museum that walks you through her 17-month military career , from her visions in Domrémy to her trial and execution in Rouen. The ground-floor dioramas are aimed at families, while the upstairs multimedia rooms use projections and audio guides to recreate key battles. Entry costs €6 for adults, €3 for ages 6-18, free for under 6. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10:00-12:30 and 14:00-18:00 (daily in July and August). Closed Mondays and January 1. The museum is small , budget 45-60 minutes. Located at 3 Place du Général de Gaulle, right behind the cathedral.

Musée des Beaux-Arts d’Orléans

This is one of France’s most important regional art museums, with 2,000 works spanning the 15th to 20th centuries. The collection’s strength is 17th- and 18th-century French painting , look for works by Claude Lorrain, Georges de La Tour, and Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. There’s also an extensive prints and drawings cabinet (accessible by appointment). The museum occupies a grand 19th-century building on Rue Fernand Rabier. Entry is €6 (€3 reduced), free on the first Sunday of each month. Open Tuesday through Saturday 10:00-18:00, Sunday 13:00-18:00. Closed Mondays. Budget 90 minutes to 2 hours. The ground-floor cafe has a courtyard garden that’s a good break spot on warm days. Tram A to De Gaulle, then 5 minutes on foot.

Hôtel Groslot

This flamboyant 16th-century mansion on Place de l’Étape served as Orléans’ city hall from 1790 to 1981. King François II died here in 1560, and the building hosted French kings Charles IX, Henri III, and Henri IV. The interior is open for free guided visits (in French, but English leaflets are available). Key rooms include the Salle des Mariages with neo-Gothic wooden panelling and the former king’s bedroom with its monumental fireplace. Open daily 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00 (closed on certain public holidays). Entry is free. Budget 30-45 minutes. The small garden behind the mansion has a statue of Joan of Arc and is a quiet spot to sit.

Things to Do in Orléans: Outdoor and River Activities

Loire à Vélo Cycling

The Loire à Vélo is a 900 km signposted cycling route from Cuffy (near Nevers) to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins on the Atlantic coast. Orléans sits roughly at the route’s midpoint. The section through the city follows the north bank of the river on dedicated paths, passing the Parc de la Charpenterie and the Pont de l’Europe before continuing downstream toward Meung-sur-Loire (20 km west, home to a medieval castle). Upstream, you reach Jargeau (18 km east) on flat, well-maintained paths. Bike rental shops near the station include Détours de Loire (13 Rue du Pot de Fer, from €15/day for a hybrid bike, €25/day for an e-bike) and L’Atelier du Cycle (32 Rue Bannier). The route is almost entirely flat , elevation change over 40 km is typically under 50 metres. Bring water: there are fountains in Meung-sur-Loire and Jargeau but not much in between.

Parc Floral de la Source

This 35-hectare botanical park 8 km south of the city centre is built around the Source du Loiret , a natural spring that feeds the Loiret River. The park includes themed gardens (rose garden, dahlia collection, iris garden), a small farm animal area popular with children, and a butterfly greenhouse (open April to October). The Loiret spring itself bubbles up at a constant 12°C year-round from a limestone aquifer. Entry costs €6.50 for adults, €4.50 for ages 6-16, free under 6. Open daily from mid-March to mid-November: 10:00-18:00 (until 19:00 in May-September). Closed in winter. To reach it, take Tram A south to the Parc Floral terminus (15 minutes from the centre). Budget 2-3 hours. There’s a cafe near the entrance but picnicking is allowed on the lawns.

Loire Riverbank Walk

The quays on both sides of the Loire are the city’s social spine. The north bank (Quai du Châtelet and Quai Cypierre) has wide pedestrian paths, benches, and several guinguettes , open-air bars and restaurants that operate from May to September. The Quai du Châtelet section between Pont George-V and Pont de l’Europe is the liveliest stretch. In summer, locals gather on the exposed sandbanks mid-river for sunbathing and picnics , access is from informal paths near the Pont George-V, though be aware the Loire’s current is deceptively strong and swimming is at your own risk. The south bank (Quai du Roi) is quieter and lined with plane trees, making it a better option for a shady walk on hot days. Allow 45-60 minutes for a loop crossing at two bridges. The sunset view of the cathedral towers from Pont George-V is the city’s best photo spot.

Things to Do in Orléans: Loire Valley Châteaux Day Trips

Château de Chambord

The largest and most extravagant of the Loire châteaux, Chambord has 426 rooms and the iconic double-helix staircase attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. It’s a 45-minute drive south of Orléans (55 km via D2152 and D33). Entry costs €16 for adults, free for under 18 and EU residents under 26. Open daily year-round: 9:00-18:00 (until 19:00 April-October). Budget 3 hours minimum. Parking costs €6. There’s no direct public transport from Orléans, so you’ll need a car or a guided tour. The French Renaissance gardens were replanted in 2017 and are free to walk. The rooftop terrace , reached by the double-helix staircase , gives you views across the 5,440-hectare forested estate.

Château de Chenonceau

Chenonceau arches across the Cher River on a series of graceful arches, earning it the nickname ‘the ladies’ château’ for the succession of women who shaped it. It’s about an 80-minute drive southwest of Orléans (95 km via A10 and A85). Entry costs €16 for adults, €12 for ages 7-18, free under 7. Open daily year-round; hours vary by season (typically 9:00-19:00 in summer, 9:30-16:30 in winter). Budget 2-3 hours. The highlight is the 60-metre gallery spanning the river. The formal gardens , Diane de Poitiers’ garden to the right of the entrance, Catherine de Médicis’ to the left , peak in June and July. On-site parking is free. The Orangerie restaurant has a terrace overlooking the gardens and serves lunch from €25.

Château de Blois

The Royal Château of Blois is the most architecturally varied of the Loire châteaux , four wings spanning Gothic, Flamboyant, Renaissance, and Classical styles built between the 13th and 17th centuries. It’s a 45-minute train ride from Gare d’Orléans (€10-15 one way, roughly hourly TER services). The standout feature is the François I staircase, an open spiral with elaborate Renaissance carvings. Entry costs €13 for adults, €8.50 for ages 6-17, free under 6. Open daily: 9:00-18:30 (until 19:00 April-October). Budget 2 hours. There’s a sound-and-light show in the courtyard on summer evenings (€10, starts at 22:00 or 22:30 depending on the month). The town of Blois itself has a compact old quarter with good lunch options on Rue du Bourg-Neuf.

Things to Do in Orléans: Food, Markets, and Local Experiences

Marché de la Place du Martroi

Orléans’ biggest outdoor market fills Place du Martroi every Wednesday and Saturday morning from 7:00 to 13:00. You’ll find 40-50 stalls selling local produce, cheeses, charcuterie, and seasonal fruit. Look for Crottin de Chavignol (the local goat cheese AOC produced 45 km east), Orléans vinegar (the city has been producing vinegar since the 14th century and holds a Protected Geographical Indication), and Cotignac d’Orléans (a quince paste confection dating to the 15th century). Prices are fair , a wedge of Crottin de Chavignol runs €3-4, a jar of Orléans vinegar €6-8. Most vendors accept cash only. Arrive before 9:00 on Saturdays for the best selection.

Rue de Bourgogne

This pedestrianised street running from Place du Martroi toward the Loire is Orléans’ main dining and shopping artery. It’s lined with half-timbered facades and has the densest concentration of restaurants in the city. For traditional French fare, try Le Brin de Zinc (62 Rue de Bourgogne, plat du jour from €14) or La Petite Marmite (opens for lunch only, 3-course menu at €22). For a quick bite, the wood-fired pizzas at La Parenthèse (No. 169) have a local following. The street also has several wine bars selling Loire Valley wines by the glass , Le 1728 at No. 94 does flights of three Sancerre or Vouvray from €12. Most restaurants serve lunch from 12:00 to 14:00 and dinner from 19:00 to 22:00. Reservations are recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings year-round.