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Tours to Orléans by train

Travel from Tours (France) to Orléans (France) by train (108km): schedule and information to the train connection. Compare fares and buy your ticket.

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1 Tours (France) - Orléans (France)

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Orleans travel guide

Visit Orleans (Centre-Loire Valley, France)

Orleans is an important town on the Loire River, and the main city in both the Loiret department and also the Centre (Loire valley) region. Situated south of Paris and east of Le Mans , it is a large town with more than 300 000 inhabitants.

Explore Orleans

France This Way coment: Orléans does not form part of the 'major sights' of the Loire Valley to the west or of Burgundy to the east so is perhaps less visited than it would otherwise be: that is unfortunate because it is a very attractive city with lots to see and do including an extensive historic centre and many buildings of interest and several important musesums and gardens. We recommend you visit when you are in the region!

It is quite easy to get your bearings in the centre of Orleans. The principal region of interest to visitors is around the cathedral and along Rue Jeanne d'Arc, the region of the town between here and the Loire river and the Pont Georges V bridge about 500 metres to the south, and also north of Rue Jeanne d'Arc to the Place du Martroi, Rue d'Escures and the Hotel Groslot: all easily accessible on foot.

We started exploring in Place du Martroi, which is a large open square surrounded by numerous imposing buildings and a very pleasant introduction to the city. In the centre of the square there is a large 19th century statue of Joan of Arc as well as a series of fountains inset in the ground.

The streets around the square contain many of the larger shops such as FNAC which are found in most important French cities. From here follow Rue d' Escures towards the east.

Turning south towards the cathedral along the Place de l'Etape you reach the Orléans Tourist Office and the open area in front of the cathedral. One of the most splendid houses in Orleans, and open to the public, is the Hotel Groslot in Place de l'Etape, a very ornate and distinguished 19th century red brick building with a fine interior of the period.

Be sure to visit Orleans tourist office because there are many other interesting sites of note including several churches and other historically important buildings that you are lilely to overlook without a guide map.

The Cathedral Sainte-Croix is the most important historic monument in the city, a 17th centre gothic style cathedral with very old origins that has a great deal of impressive stonework ornamentation, in particular the facade which also features three large round windows and two square towers. The stained glass windows inside the cathedral were added in the year 2000. See Cathedral Sainte-Croix of Orléans for details.

Near the cathedral you can also see a part of the walls that surrounded the original roman town.

After exploring the cathedral walk straight along the Rue Jeanne d'Arc, the broad avenue to the front of the cathedral created at the beginning of the 19th century, at least as far as Place Charles de Gaulle. Keep turning to look behind you as you walk west along Rue Jeanne d'Arc because the view of the cathedral from here is very attractive.

In Place Charles de Gaulle you can see the historic 'house of Joan of Arc', and the Place de la Republique is another pleasant square along this road. From here you can head south until you reach the river and the impressive stone bridge across the Loire. Cross the bridge to the other side of the river for good views back across the town and cathedral.

Return to the north of the river to explore the historic centre of Orleans, a large area between the river and the cathedral, and to take a promenade along the river banks along Quai du Chatelet. I am not going to describe every street here, but the whole area has been substantially renovated in recent years and there are numerous picturesque houses and shops to be seen.

Many of the houses are medieval half-timbered houses, now restored as cafes or shops. The Rue de Bourgogne is particularly worth visiting on a night when its bars and restaurants spill onto the street and gives it a great atmosphere. This area is also where you will find numerous small specialist shops and cafes, as well as recent additions such as a cinema and the Place du Chatelet, lined with grand townhouses some of which date from the 16th century.

Time and energy permitting there are lots of other interesting sights to discover in Orleans. These include other religious highlights such as the medieval Crypt of Saint-Aignan, a subterranean ensemble of chapels dating from the early middle ages, and the remains of the Minimes convent and cloister.

Other particularly notable 19th century 'hotels' (townhouses) that you will come across in Orleans include the renaissance Hotel Cabu (now a museum of the history of Orléans); the original Orleans town hall (the Hotel des Creneaux) and the Maison Jean-Dalibert.

Joan of Arc and Orléans

Orleans is well known for its association with Joan of Arc (the Maid of Orléans), the peasant girl who heard God telling her to guide the King in his battle against the English - which she duly did. Joan helped defeat the English in the siege of Orleans, and ultimately to enable France to defeat the English. See the story of Joan of Arc for more details.

This story is very important to France and French history and in Orleans you will see various tributes, for example the statue of Joan of Arc astride a horse in the Place du Martroi, and a chance to see the house where she lived, now carefully rebuilt after destruction in the Second World War and maintained in its original 15th century condition, in the Place du General de Gaulle.

Museums and parks in Orléans

There are several well maintained parks and gardens in Orleans, for example Parc Pasteur, the Parc Floral de la Source, and the 19th century botanical gardens at the Jardin des Plantes. A few kilometres south of the town, the Parc Floral de la Source is a large park that gains its name because the Loiret river has its source in the park and is one of the highlights of a visit to Orléans. See Parc Floral de la Source for details.

The museums in the town include those dedicated to Natural Sciences and the History and Archaeology of Orleans. The most important museum in Orleans is the Museum of Fine Arts which has a very extensive collection of paintings and art works, mostly dating from the 16th to 18th centuries and including a famous painting of Saint Thomas the Apostle by Velasquez.

Other information

As you would expect from a city the size of Orleans, there are a very large range of shops and restaurants, and all other facilities. The town has a large number of shops specialising in antiques. Several markets are held in the town each week, and visitors also enjoy the Friday evening market in Place du Martroi.

Every summer from late May to late September Orleans puts on a fantastic light show at the cathedral. A light show is beamed at the facade and there is accompanying music. Not to be missed if you are visiting the area at this time of the year. This takes place on Fridays and Saturdays and Thursdays too for most of July and August.

Attractions nearby

Garden enthusiasts will also want to visit the Arboretum des Grandes Bruyeres , an impressive garden and arboretum about 25 kilomeres north-east of the city, and enthusiasts of religious architecture will enjoy a trip to the Abbey of Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire , a 12th century abbey church to the east of Orleans.

Of course, many visitors to this region will be on their way to explore some of the magnificent castles and historic towns of the Loire Valley: these are numerous, see our Loire Valley visitor guide for details and highlights.

You can find more travel ideas in the Loiret guide and the Loire Valley guide .

Photos of Orleans

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Arrange a visit to Orleans

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Hotels in Orleans

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Map of orleans and places nearby, visit near orleans with france this way reviews.

Hotel Groslot

The Hotel Groslot is a beautiful mansion close to the cathedral in Orleans.

Cathedral of Sainte-Croix, Orleans

The carvings and grandeur of the western facade are the highlight of the 17th century cathedral in Orleans

Parc Floral de la Source, Orleans

The Parc Floral de la Source is an extensive park to the south of Orleans that includes the source of the Loiret river

Meung-sur-Loire

Meung sur Loire is a pretty medieval village near Orleans.

Les Jardins de Roquelin

The Jardins de Roquelin is a pretty rose garden in the Loire Valley.

A small town on the banks of the Loire River, Beaugency squeezes a remarkable number of interesting sights in a small space!

... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Loiret

Tourist classifications for Orleans

Orleans has received the following tourist classifications: listed town of Art and History ;

Address: Orléans, Loire Valley, 45000, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 47.9025, longitude 1.909

Plan your visit to Orleans, Loiret

Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby.

• Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle: ville fleurie 4* (3 km)
• Fleury-les-Aubrais: ville fleurie 4* (3 km)
• Olivet: ville fleurie 4* (4 km)
• Parc Floral de la Source : remarkable garden (6 km)
• Saint-Cyr-en-Val: ville fleurie 4* (9 km)
• Les prés-Culand: remarkable garden (18 km)
• Beaugency : recommended detour (25 km)
• Arboretum des grandes bruyères : remarkable garden (25 km)
• Abbaye de Saint Benoît sur Loire (Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire Abbey) : religious monument (31 km)
• Talcy Chateau: national monument (38 km)
• Jardin du château de Talcy: remarkable garden (38 km)
• Eglise de Notre Dame (Boiscommun): religious monument (38 km)

Market days in Orleans, France

Regular market(s) are held in Orleans each every day except Monday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at Orleans (Francais)

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Home » Travel Guides » France » 15 Best Things to Do in Orléans (France)

15 Best Things to Do in Orléans (France)

In 1429 Joan of Arc liberated Orléans from a siege by the English, and the city has never forgotten this event. There are statues in her honour, whole wings in museums about the liberation and an annual festival in May to celebrate it with full ceremony and splendour.

Many tourists rushing to the Loire Valley’s châteaux bypass Orléans, but there’s much to uncover in the old centre, which is bursting with timber houses and renaissance mansions where royalty lived and died. Each monument bears witness to the city’s bloody but enthralling history. If it wasn’t the English it was the Huguenots wreaking havoc!

Lets explore the best things to do in Orleans :

1. Parc Floral de la Source

Welcoming more visitors than any other attraction in the  department, the Parc Floral de la Source is a semi-wild park next to the university, where Orléans meets the countryside.

Indeed, you can see how the terrain changes here: The flat river plain and the source of the Loiret host the park’s beautiful flower gardens (dahlias, irises, roses and alpine flowers), kitchen garden, butterfly house and aviaries.

And then you can trundle off up the hill to step onto the Sologne Plateau where there’s deep oak and birch forest, and more animal enclosures with Breton sheep and alpacas.

2. Orléans Cathedral

Taking in the solemn cathedral on Place Sainte-Croix it can be difficult to picture the destruction that this massive landmark suffered in the past.

The Huguenots did a good job of razing it to the ground during the French Wars of Religion in the 16th century.

The building, where Joan of Arc had come for mass during the siege of Orléans in 1429, was almost completely rebuilt from the 1700s to 1829. During this time marvellous stained glass windows were installed, conveying the life of one of France’s national heroines.

3. Musée des Beaux-Arts

If you’re the kind of person who likes to go slow and meditate over art a whole morning or afternoon may not be enough to see all of this capacious art museum.

There are many thousands of works, only 700 of which are permanently hanging, including France’s second-largest collection of pastels behind the Louvre.

If you’d prefer more of a condensed visit then seek out the paintings by Vélazquez, Corregio, van Dyck, Breughel the Elder and Younger, Delacroix, Courbet, Picasso and Gauguin.

Also make time for the rare prints by Albrecht Dürer and a sculpture by Rodin.

4. Place du Martroi

Apart from the “Ligne A” tramline that still crosses the square, Place du Martroi has been completely pedestrianised in the last few years.

What hits your gaze right away is the imposing statue of Joan of Arc on horseback, created in 1855 by Dennis Foyatier, atop a large marble pedestal with reliefs from the siege in 1429. On the east side is a fun fountain with jets coming straight through the paving, and there’s also a old-fashioned carousel for kids here in summer.

And if you’ve been on the tourist trail al day you could take a break at one of the cafe tables to take in the Belle Époque and neoclassical architecture with a café au lait.

5. Hôtel Groslot

Orléans’ former city hall started out as a mansion built in the mid-1500s for the city’s bailiff Jacques Groslot.

Over the next few decades it hosted some of the period’s most important people, not least the young king François II, who died in what is now the wedding hall in 1560. Other personalities to have stayed at Hôtel Groslot are Mary Queen of Scots, François’ young wife, Catherine de Medici, his mother, and the later kings Henri III and Henri IV. Go in for a free tour to learn about this royal connection, and savour period furniture, Aubisson tapestries and extra insights about Joan of Arc’s time in Orléans.

6. Historic Centre

Orléans’ old town is unexpectedly large, and ranges far outside the pedestrianised zone in the middle.

Not all of the buildings are historic, but that only makes you value the beautiful half-timbered houses and renaissance palaces even more.

To get to grips with the size of the old quarter you could enter Orléans as Joan of Arc did in 1429, along Rue de Bourgogne, a convivial street of restaurants and bars running east to west, starting several hundred metres from the centre.

There are rustic colombages, many with their timber frames painted, side-by-side with 19th-century mansions.

Soon the street becomes car-free and you can scuttle off down the adjoining streets to make discoveries, Then there is rue de la Bretonnerie, which begins north of the cathedral and is almost overflowing with mansions from the 1400s to the 1900s.

7. Musée Historique et Archéologique

In the 15th-century Hôtel Cabu, one of Orléans’ many beautiful old mansions, there’s a small but interesting array of artefacts from around Loiret.

The Gallo-Roman Treasure of Neuvy-en-Sullias is possibly the most intriguing thing here.

It’s a cache of 30 2,000-year-old bronze statuettes recovered from a sand quarry in the 19th century.

They represent animals like boars, deer and horses, as well as mythological figures such as Hercules and Mars.

You can also see vestiges of the region’s medieval buildings carefully transferred here, like the romanesque capitals from the abbey of Benoît-sur-Loire, or, even earlier, ornate stucco from the oratory at Germigny-des-Prés, dating to the 800s.

8. Île Charlemagne

There’s nature, sport and relaxation just a few moments from the centre of Orléans at a 70-hectare park and lake complex on a large river island in the Loire.

For respite from the heat in summer you can laze on the two beaches, and you’re free to go for swim in the massive 28-hectare lake to cool off.

You could also hire a canoe or kayak and test your skills on the canoe trail with overhanging gates, or let the little ones scramble over the massive adventure playground.

On dry land there are ping pong tables, mountain biking circuits, pétanque courts, and even a pony centre.

9. Collégiale Saint-Aignan

Forever in a state of half-completion, the fragmented Church of Saint-Aignan tells you more about  Orléans’ fraught history than a finished monument.

Being close to the Loire and in a suburb of the city, it was pulled down twice during the 100 Years’ War to prevent the English forces turning it into a bastion.

But that wasn’t the last of its troubles, as a century later the nave was wrecked by the Huguenots during the French Wars of Religion.

So only the choir and transept now remain.

But against all, the crypt, dating to the 1000s, has survived, and you can head down to see the barrel vault ceiling and sculpted capitals.

10. Loire à Vélo

The Loire in this region of France is one long cycle trail and every measure has been taken to ensure that your ride is as hassle-free as possible . Orléans is near the eastern limit of the Loire Valley, and if you were so inclined you could ride all 314 kilometres to Saint-Nazaire on the coast, and never lack for stations to service your bike and cycle-friendly places to stay overnight (Accueil Vélo). These establishments even devise special breakfasts for riders.

On this easy-going stretch of the river you’re never more than a few minutes from a château or vineyard, and the river also weaves past orchards, forest and even the odd saffron farm.

11. Fêtes Johanniques d’Orléans

In spring 1429, Joan of Arc arrived in Orléans and defeated the English, who had threatened to take the city for more than six months.

These 10 days, from the April 29 to May 8, have been celebrated by Orléans ever since.

Every year the city re-enacts Joan’s arrival in the city in full medieval livery, parading her through the streets, which is something that happened in  the last days of the siege to boost morale.

There are also pop and rock concerts for young people, and the city’s historical attractions put on special exhibitions to retrace the heroine’s steps through Orléans.

12. Maison des Étangs

The Sologne plateau, which begins just south of Orléans differs greatly from the wine-growing regions to the east and west.

This is a land of marshes and ponds that for much of its history was only semi-habitable.

As you’d expect the people from the Sologne had their own ways of life and traditional customs.

The Maison des Étangs is an ecomuseum in old timber houses in the commune of Saint Viâtre, which alone has 135 individual ponds.

Step into the workshop to see how flat-bottomed boats were made for the local fishing industry and how hemp was cultivated for nets and lines.

A traditional fisher’s home has been decorated with period furniture, and you can also find about the freshwater fish and bird species supported by this unique environment.

13. Château de Chambord

At the turn of the 16th century a new kind of stately home for the nobility and royalty started popping up on the banks of the Loire.

Borrowing from the Italian renaissance these châteaux differed from the castles that had come before because they were built for luxury and aesthetics ahead of any defensive purpose.

The largest, and arguably most essential, of the Loire Valley’s plenitude of world-renowned châteaux is Chambord, constructed by François I as a hunting lodge, which makes it sound more modest than it is.

Because Château de Chambord is colossal, and instantly recognised by its forest of chimneys and cupolas on the roof.

There’s a day’s-worth of historical trivia, gardens and architecture, like the central double-helix staircase, to keep you engrossed and amazed.

14. Château de Chamerolles

Slightly closer than Chambord is a palace that looks a bit more like a medieval fortress, as it was built right at the start of the renaissance.

Château de Chamerolles was in ruins until just a few decades ago, but has been fully restored and is the home of an unusual museum.

The Promenade des Parfums is on the first and second floors and gives you insights about regional perfume production from the 1500s to the 1900s.

There’s a historic distillery, interactive exhibits that let you sample fragrances and big cache of perfume bottles throughout the ages.

The renaissance gardens are sublime, and if you haven’t seen a formal French garden before you’re sure to be impressed by the diligent symmetry of the vegetable plots in particular.

15. Local Delicacies

There’s an AOC around Orléans producing very drinkable and straightforward white chardonnays and reds with pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes.

In the earliest days, when the wine being shipped down the Loire went bad it was no big deal, as it could be salvaged as vinegar.

By the middle ages vinegar-makers even shared a guild with the city’s apothecaries, and master “vinaigriers” branched out into cornichons (pickles) and mustard-making.

Stop by at Martin Pouret, which is one such master vinaigrier, and pick up a gift or souvenir.

Other local specialities include quince jam, pear spirits, Chavignol goats’ cheese and honey from the Sologne.

15 Best Things to Do in Orléans (France):

• Parc Floral de la Source
• Orléans Cathedral
• Musée des Beaux-Arts
• Place du Martroi
• Hôtel Groslot
• Historic Centre
• Musée Historique et Archéologique
• Île Charlemagne
• Collégiale Saint-Aignan
• Loire à Vélo
• Fêtes Johanniques d'Orléans
• Maison des Étangs
• Château de Chambord
• Château de Chamerolles
• Local Delicacies

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Orleans to Tours

From: $1,810 USD

Imagine Yourself…

• Pedaling along the river to the beautiful flower-filled city of Beaugency
• Stopping in a wine cave to sample the sweet, sparkling wines of the region
• Discovering historical sites of Joan of Arc’s later life
• Breezing past beautiful chateaux in a classically French landscape

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: arrival in orléans.

You’ll spend the day exploring beautiful Orléans on the River Loire with its picturesque, well-preserved neighborhoods. Orléans is the home of Joan of Arc, the patron saint of France, and is known for the awe inspiring Sainte Croix Cathedral , comparable to the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Although Orléans was severely bombed in World War II (first by the Germans and then by the Allies) it still preserves some of its old buildings. The city is also famous for its university, one of the most prestigious in France.

Day 2: Orléans - Beaugency - 16 miles (26 km)

This morning you’ll pedal along the Loire to the flower-filled city of Beaugency with its imposing 11th century dungeon looming high above the streets. Beaugency has conserved the charm of a small medieval city and you can visit the Notre Dame Abbey, the Hôtel-Dieu (Hospices of Beaugency), and the 14th century bridge. Beaugency has a violent military history: it was the site of the famous Battle of Beaugency when it was freed by Joan of Arc.

Day 3: Beaugency - Blois – 28 miles (45 km)

Today you’ll visit the impressive Chateau de Chambord , the largest of the Loire Valley chateaux.  With 440 rooms it’s one of the most extravagant commissions of its age. Then you’ll bike on to Blois. Its famous chateau features four distinct architectural styles and houses the Musées des Beaux Arts and Archeology . St Louis Cathedral and numerous other churches and gardens decorate the city and are worth a visit.

Day 4: Blois – Amboise – 25 miles (40 km)

You will cycle through the forests north of Blois and past scenic vineyards to the impressive Château de Chaumont , strategically located high above the River Loire and offering a majestic view over the river. Continuing to the charming town of Amboise , you might visit the Château d’ Amboise with its breathtaking views on the Loire, or Château Clos Lucé , the former home of Leonardo da Vinci now converted to a museum.

Day 5: Amboise - Tours – 18 or 33 miles (30 or 53 km)

Today you’ll cycle to fascinating Tours , passing by the vineyards and caves of Montlouis , renowned for its sweet white and sparkling wines . Later you will pass by Chateau de la Bourdaisière, believed to be the birthplace of Gabrielle d’Estrées, the beautiful mistress and favorite of King Henri IV.  Continuing to the center of Tours, you’ll discover this lively, flower-filled, university city on the River Loire with its fascinating medieval quarter, the famous “ Place Plumereau ,” and lovely half – timbered houses.

Possibility to join the famous Château de Chenonceau , straddling the Cher river, and which was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Then cycle the brand new bike paths of the Cher à Vélo before reaching Montlouis then Tours.

Day 6: Tour Ends

Your tour will end today with departure after breakfast – or you can extend your vacation by biking on to Angers (see our Tours to Angers itinerary ). The combined tour would be 10 days and 9 nights long, with just one day in Tours.

Dates & Prices

Green = Open | Yellow = Limited | Red = Full

• Prices are per person in US Dollars – inclusive bike rental
• This tour can be guided upon request
• Choose your own starting date

What's included

• Accommodations in small 3* and 4*  chateau-hotels
• Daily breakfast and dinner
• 27-speed bike rental, pannier (5 Gallon), steering wheel bag, repair kit, smartphone holder, lock, front/rear lighting (Helmet on request)
• Luggage transportation (1 per person / 40 pounds per piece)
• Entrance fees to Château de Meung sur Loire, Domaine de Chambord, Park Leonardo Da Vinci, Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire
• Route descriptions, maps
• Personalized navigation app showing points of interest along the route
• Emergency service phone number 7 days a week

Bikes are included in the price of the tour. Bikes are well-maintained 27-speed men’s and women’s bikes, equipped with pannier, steering weel bag, repair kit, smartphone holder, front/rear lighting and lock. Bike helmet on request. 

Electric bikes can be rented for this tour ($100 per person).We advise you only to rent an electric bike if you have first tried one at home. They’re heavier than regular bikes and therefore can be difficult to maneuver. In addition, you can rent children’s bikes, child seats, and bike trailers.

Included in the tour price you’ll receive daily buffet breakfast and dinner. For the buffet breakfasts there’s an assortment of cold meats and cheeses, eggs, bread, jams, cereal, yogurt, fruit, coffee, and tea. For lunches you will be in a town so you can find lunch at a restaurant on your own. Dinners are three-courses with either a set menu or a choice of two options. We can accommodate many types of dietary restrictions including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy free. Please indicate these requests at the time of booking.

Not included

• Other items of a personal nature
• Trip cancellation insurance

Accommodations

The accommodations listed below are examples of those usually used on the tour. Depending on availability, you may be booked in a different accommodation of equal quality.

Empreinte Hotel & Spa

• Located on the banks of the Loire River
• Walking distance to city center

Hôtel Ecu de Bretagne

• Heated swimming pool
• Located just of the main square

Hôtel le Clos D’Amboise

• 17th century mansion
• Heated outdoor swimming pool

Hôtel Oceania L’Univers

• Bistro-style restaurant
• Indoor swimming pool with hot tub

Alan Rooks (Group of 13 Family and Friends), September 2022

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There’s a big-city buzz on the broad boulevards and in the sparkling boutiques and elegant buildings of Orléans, 100km south of Paris. An important settlement by the time of the Roman conquest, the city sealed its place in history in 1429 when a young peasant girl by the name of Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc) rallied the armies of Charles VII and brought about a spectacular rout against the besieging English forces, a key turning point in the Hundred Years War. Six centuries later, the Maid of Orléans still exerts a powerful hold on the French imagination – all around town, you’ll find statues (at least seven), stained-glass windows and museum exhibits dedicated to her exploits. Other attractions in the old city include an outstanding art museum and a breathtaking cathedral.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Cathédrale Ste-Croix

In a country of jaw-dropping churches, Gothic-style Cathédrale Ste-Croix still raises a gasp. Originally built in the 13th century, it underwent tinkering…

Musée des Beaux-Arts

Orléans’ five-level fine-arts museum is a treat, with an excellent collection of Italian, Flemish and Dutch paintings (including works by Correggio,…

CERCIL – Musée-Mémorial des Enfants du Vel d'Hiv

Between 1941 and 1943, more than 16,000 Jews were interned in two camps about 50km northeast of Orléans, Beaune-la-Rolande and Pithiviers. The adults were…

Hôtel Groslot

The Renaissance-style Hôtel Groslot was built between 1530 and 1550 as a private mansion for lawyer and bailiff Jacques Groslot; it became Orléans’ city…

Musée d'Histoire et d'Archéologie

The centrepiece of this history museum, in the Renaissance-style Hôtel Cabu, is an extraordinary collection of Celtic and Gallo-Roman bronzes, recovered…

Place du Martroi

In the centre of Orléans' main square, a bronze statue (1855) depicts Joan of Arc atop a prancing steed; nearby there's a carousel (merry-go-round). A…

Maison de Jeanne d’Arc

An excellent 15-minute film (in French or English) tracing Joan of Arc's origins, accomplishments and historical impact is the main attraction at the…

Joan of Arc Statue

Depicting St Joan atop a prancing steed, this huge bronze statue (1855) by Denis Foyatier is in the centre of place du Martroi.

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Tours, Blois or Orleans? - France Forum

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Tours, Blois or Orleans?

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That leaves Tours or Blois. If you have a car , there is no compelling need to stay in Tours where the traffic can sometimes be difficult, even though Tours i the heart of what most people come to this area to see.

Here is a list of hotels to consider as a base for sightseeing:

http://www.bonlaboureur.com/

http://www.chateaudelabarre.com/

http://www.aubergedelaunay.com/

http://chateaucelleguenand.com/

http://www.chateau-de-la-villaine.com/

http://www.tortiniere.com/

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Critérium de Dauphiné Stage 3 Live - chance for GC action on final climb

Tour de france 2024 - stage 10 preview.

July 9, 2024: Orléans - Saint-Amand-Montrond, 187.3km

Stage 10 Sprints

Week two of the 2024 Tour will start with a four-day ride south to the Pyrénées, starting with stage 10, from Orléans to Saint-Amand-Montrond, Julian Alaphilippe’s hometown. It will be difficult to predict the outcome of this stage, as the weather may play a significant role, in addition to the impact of racing after a rest day.

Heading through the Sologne forest, the peloton will race on flat and protected roads for the first 62 kilometres to Issoudun. Once in the Cher department,  the riders will find themselves on roads exposed to the crosswinds that scattered the peloton a decade ago. With three direction changes in the last 30 kilometres, there will be a real chance of echelons forming.

The most memorable moment in Saint-Amand-Montrond’s Tour de France history was the 2013 stage that was unexpectedly affected by the wind and echelons, the drama ending with victory for Mark Cavendish taking the win from a small group sprint ahead of green jersey Peter Sagan.

• Intermediate sprint, km 57.1

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Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.

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