Things to Do in Orleans

Historic riverbanks along the Loire, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk or cycle the 5km paved path past old bridges and locks. Free all year.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Rent a vélo'v (city bike) from the station for €1.50 for 24h — the flat path east to the Pont de l'Europe is quieter and gives good photo spots.

Gothic cathedral famously associated with Joan of Arc. Impressive stained-glass windows tell her story. Climb the tower for a small fee if you want city views.

🕐 Daily 09:00–18:00 (tower: 10:00–12:30, 14:00–17:30, closed Mon)

💡 Visit on a Tuesday or Saturday morning when the nearby Place du Martroi market is on — then grab a cheap crêpe from a stall.

Fine arts museum in a former bishop's palace. Collection spans 15th to 20th centuries, including works by Velázquez and local artists. Free for under-26s and for all on first Sunday of month.

🕐 Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00; closed Mon

💡 Don't miss the 16th-century Flemish tapestries on the first floor — most visitors rush past them. The cafe has decent coffee at €2.

Reconstructed house where Joan of Arc stayed during the Siege of Orleans in 1429. Small museum with interactive exhibits and period furniture.

🕐 Tue–Sun 10:00–12:30, 13:30–18:00; closed Mon

💡 The free entry includes a 20-minute audioguide in English. Go early to avoid school groups — it gets busy after 11am.

Large botanical garden with themed sections: a French formal garden, a Japanese garden, and a rose collection. Free on the first Sunday of each month from November to March.

🕐 Open daily Apr–Oct 09:00–19:00; Nov–Mar 10:00–17:00; closed Mondays Nov–Mar

💡 Take tram line A to 'Parc Floral' stop — it’s the cheapest way from central Orleans. Pack a picnic and stay for the afternoon.