City of Art and History, Orléans has been able to navigate the centuries without losing any of its splendour. Already in ancient times Orléans, because of its strategic location on the banks of the Loire, was a key staging post on the road to Paris. Yet the city is above all associated with the story of Joan of Arc, who raised the English siege on 8 May 1429. Orléans has preserved the evidence of its rich past, revealed in the fine medieval façades of the period as well as the imposing Sainte-Croix cathedral, a masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic architecture. Of all the French cathedrals, this one retains the oldest remains, since the foundations of the primitive 4th century basilica can still be seen in the crypt.
Orléans takes you on a journey through time, with the city’s history illustrated by its various monuments, such as the Gallo-Roman walls, the Romanesque churches (the crypt of Saint-Aignan) and the Renaissance buildings (Cabu and Groslot town-houses). For the perfect end to a tour of the city, walk along the quays of the Loire and at the heart of the Parc Floral de la Source, where you’ll find the source of the smaller Loiret river.
The Orléans Parc Hotel is an affordable hotel that is perfectly located for exploring Orléans and its wonders.
