Things to Do in Orléans: A Loire Valley City of Joan

Most travelers zip past Orléans on the fast train to Tours or Bordeaux, never realizing they just skipped one of the most walkable, historically loaded cities on the Loire River. This is the city of Joan of Arc, the place where a teenage girl turned the tide of the Hundred Years’ War in 1429, and its old town still wears that history on every corner of stone.

Orléans rewards travelers who slow down for a day or two instead of rushing straight to Chambord or the wine country further south.

Orléans offers a compact mix of Gothic architecture, riverside walks and Joan of Arc heritage, best explored on foot in one to two days. Highlights include Cathédrale Sainte-Croix, the Maison de Jeanne d’Arc, Hôtel Groslot and the old town, with a boat trip on the Loire and a day trip to nearby Loire Valley châteaux and vineyards rounding out the visit. For readers building a longer route, our guide to things to do in the Loire Valley covers the wider region, and you can browse the best wine tours in Loire Valley for the day-trip portion of your stay.

What are the best things to do in Orléans?

Marvel at Cathédrale Sainte-Croix

The Croix Cathedral (also called Sainte Croix Cathedral or Saint Croix Cathedral) dominates the heart of Orléans with a Gothic architecture façade that took centuries to finish, and its stained glass tells the Joan of Arc story in vivid color. Budget 30-45 minutes inside; the towers offer a good spot for photography over the old town rooftops.

Step inside Maison de Jeanne d’Arc

This reconstructed house marks where Joan of Arc reportedly stayed during the 1429 siege, and it’s now a small museum tracing her campaign with models, films and an audioguide. Entry takes about an hour and is an easy add-on right in the old town, a must for anyone curious about the city of Joan.

Wander through Hôtel Groslot

Hôtel Groslot is a beautiful Renaissance building from 1601, once the city hall and now open for free wandering through its ornate chambers and gardens. Give it 20 minutes; it sits just steps from the cathedral, making it an easy stop between sights.

Stroll Place du Martroi and the old town

This central square anchors the old town, ringed by cafés with terrace seating and framed by a statue of Joan of Arc on horseback. From here, narrow streets like Rue de Bourgogne and Rue de la Charpenterie fan out with half-timbered houses, making the whole area genuinely walkable without a map.

Hunt for street art around the old streets

Orléans has quietly become a canvas for street artists, with murals tucked into courtyards and side streets a few blocks from the cathedral. It’s a nice contrast to the medieval stone, worth an hour of aimless wandering with a camera.

Take a boat trip on the Loire

A trip on the Loire aboard a traditional flat-bottomed boat is the best way to see the river the way locals have for centuries, gliding past sandbanks and old bridges. Trips typically run around an hour and operate seasonally, so check ahead if you’re visiting outside summer.

Walk along the river at sunset

The riverside promenade along the Loire River offers some of the best views of the old bridges and the cathedral spire reflected in the water. It’s flat, easy walking and a favorite spot for locals to jog or picnic, especially at golden hour.

Browse the Musée des Beaux-Arts

This fine arts museum holds an unexpectedly strong collection for a city its size, with works spanning several centuries in a compact, easy-to-tour gallery. Plan on an hour, and check for a combined ticket if you’re also visiting Hôtel Groslot.

Taste Orléans vinegar and mustard at Martin Pouret

Martin Pouret has been producing Orléans vinegar using the slow barrel-aging method since the 19th century, and its boutique in town sells vinegar and mustard you won’t find in a regular supermarket. It’s a small, distinctly local souvenir and a good window into the Orléanais food tradition.

Eat and shop at the local food market

The food market near Les Halles Châtelet is where Orléans locals do their actual grocery shopping, with stalls of cheese, produce and baked goods that make for a great, cheap lunch. Go in the morning for the freshest picks and the liveliest atmosphere.

Relax at Parc Floral de la Source

A short drive or bus ride from downtown, Parc Floral de la Source is a genuinely lovely botanical park with themed rose and iris gardens, a bird sanctuary and a stream that traces back to the source of the Loiret river. Plan 1.5 to 2 hours here, and note it’s best visited between spring and early autumn when the flowers are in bloom.

If you’re continuing on to explore the region’s vineyards, our city guide to things to do in Tours covers the neighboring wine city, while Chinon wineries and Sancerre wineries are both easy add-ons if you’re driving further south.

Best things to do around Orléans

Once you’ve covered the heart of Orléans on foot, a few castles in the Orléanais countryside make for an easy extension to your trip. All three sit within reach of a single day, no regional detour required.

Visit Loire Valley Châteaux

Chambord’s rooftop skyline, Chenonceau stretching across the Cher, royal Amboise, Villandry’s gardens and moated Azay-le-Rideau: the big five are the reason most people come, and they deserve their own planning. We rank all fifteen worth your time in our guide to the Loire Valley castles, with itinerary tips included. Rule of thumb: two châteaux per day maximum, tickets booked ahead in summer.

Wander through Blois

Around 50 minutes by train or car, Blois offers a hilltop château tied to French royal history and a compact old town that rewards an afternoon stroll along the Loire River. Discover our guide to the best things to do in Blois.

Good to know before visiting Orléans