Tourist attractions Orleans

The quality and diversity of this collection make it one of the most important in France. Pictures, sculpture and objects recount the history of European art from the 16C to the 20C. Note the series of 18C portraits of Mme de Pompadour by François-Hu..

This 30 hectare park is a window on horticulture in the Orleans region. It contains a large variety of plants and several animal species including deer and emu. Among the other delights for the eyes, the mirror gives a beautiful view of the castle ..

A faithful reconstruction, after the bombings of 1940, of the house of Jacques Boucher, treasurer to the Duke of Orleans, where Joan of Arc lived in 1429. Models and a diorama retrace the history of «La Pucelle» and the end of the siege of Orleans on..

The Le Neuvy-en-Sullias Gallo-Roman hoard , made up of statues of boars and a bronze horse, is the focal point of this museum. It is housed in the fine Hôtel Cabu (15C). There are sculptures from Germigny-des-Prés and Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire, histo..

Built from the 13C to the early 16C, the cathedral was partly destroyed in 1586 by the Protestants. In recognition of the town's support, Henry IV undertook its reconstruction in a composite Gothic style. There is a lovely three-porch façade with ros..

Built in the 15C, this majestic royal church owes its splendour to Louis XI who wanted a fitting legacy to his memory, and now rests in the vault off the nave. Especially noteworthy is the chapelle St Jacques with its rich Gothic decoration; it w..

Built between the 11C and the 13C, this sober building has an imposing stone steeple, a semi-circular chevet and its original transept with rounded trefoil ends. From behind the chevet, there is a good view of the church and the castle , an extraord..

This château has two distinct characters: on the one hand an austere 12 and 13C fortress that has welcomed many illustrious guests (including Joan of Arc, François I), and on the other a more light-hearted and opulent 18C château. The medieval touch ..

This pavilion was built by the Duke of Orleans in 1759 to house his archives.

Lined with arcades, this important street was built in 1755 at the same time as the Pont Royal, now Pont George V. The earlier main street of the medieval town, Rue Sainte-Catherine, was thus suddently relegated in significance.

The former Hôtel Euverte-Hatte is also known as Maison d'Agnès Sorel... This building was however constructed after the death Charles VII's favourite... The library is devoted to Charles Péguy (1873-1914), his life, his work and his literary and ..

The name acts as a reminder us that a martyretum , or early Christian cemetery, was on this site. This square showcases the statue of Joan of Arc by Denis Foyatier (1793-1863). Remains of the Bannier Gate are visible in the pedestrian walkway to t..

Isolated in its garden, this gracious little Renaissance building and former store has an archive room on the ground floor and a former silver room on the first floor.

The 15C façade of the former Chapelle Saint-Jacques is now located here. Opposite the garden stand the façades of the Pavillons d'Escures , 17C bourgeois houses.

This street has a large pedestrianised section and is a major shopping hub. During the Gallo-Roman era, it was the main east-west route through the town. Note the façade of the 15C stone house with a half-timbered gable at n°221, then pass in front o..

The centre has a cinema, book, photo and video library devoted to Joan of Arc, her adventures and the works she has inspired.

This mansion was built in 1540 for Toutin, page to the son of François I. The statue of François I stands covered in vines in the courtyard with its double gallery of Renaissance arcades.

Lined with classical façades on a row of arcades, this square was made in around 1840. There is a bronze statue representing the Loire holding the sons of the Valley in the folds of her dress. The Hôtel des Créneaux (15C façade) was the town hall o..

Built in 1550 by the bailiff Jacques Groslot, this is a vast Renaissance home in contrasting lozenge and red brick. Lovely interior decoration. The kings of France stayed here when passing through Orleans - Charles IX, Henry III, François II (who die..

This shaded embankment makes for a long promenade along the water's edge.