Orléans has a rich historical, cultural and architectural heritage that shows up on every street corner! Situated on the banks of the Loire, the city is part of the Loire Valley classification, a UNESCO world heritage site. The colours of its walls and monuments, so characteristic of the Loire stone, give the town centre the appearance of a perfectly preserved luminous setting.
The old centre of Orléans has beautiful half-timbered and Renaissance-style facades. It is the former merchants' quarter in the heart of which it is pleasant to stroll.
Take the time to visit the Sainte-Croix cathedral: a 114-metre-high grande dame with a unique charm, and 10 stained-glass windows depicting the life of Joan of Arc. The building goes from the Romanesque to the Gothic style, its construction being spread over more than 600 years.
Take the time to climb its 252 steps to discover the city: the view over the Orléanais is breathtaking!
The Hotel Groslot, a jewel of the Renaissance, is one of the most visited places in Orléans.
Recognisable by its magnificent red brick façade, it retraces the dream of the notable Jacques Groslot, bailiff of Orléans from 1521 to 1545. Formerly the town hall, it has seen many historical figures such as Charles IX, Henri IV, François II, Marie Stuart or Catherine de Médicis. This visit, with its muffled salons and gilded panelling punctuated by the memory of Joan of Arc, is a reminder of the importance of Orléans in the history of France.
The Floral Park of the Source is labelled "Remarkable Garden": its 35 hectares are dedicated to nature, plants and animals. This place of relaxation is to be discovered according to the seasons. It shelters in its center two resurgences of the Loiret, the most famous of which is the Bouillon.
