Orléans – a brief profile

When visiting Orléans, it is hardly possible to see all the historical sights since after all, the city, which is over 2,000 years old, has always played an important role in the history of France. A tour of the old town is a good idea to get a first impression. Here, the highly symmetrical arrangement of the street will be particularly striking. In fact, in large parts they still follow the course laid out by the Roman architects at the time. Apart from the town hall “Hôtel Groslot”, the former bishop‘s palace and the Sainte Croix cathedral, the Jeanne d’Arc house should be part of a historically informed tourist programme. In 1429, the liberator of Orléans and arguably the most famous personality of the city was a guest in this house for ten days. Today it is home to the Jeanne d’Arc museum. Like so many other buildings in the old town, it was destroyed in a bombing in 1940, but eventually rebuilt after the war in an authentic way.

Orléans, however, has more to offer than its eventful past. In the open-minded, lively city, street musicians and theater groups entertain passers-by in the summer. Culture lovers can choose between the annual jazz festival, numerous live concerts or exhibitions. Furthermore, Orléans has got a strong theater and dance scene. With a big parade through the city, the annual highlight surely is the Jeanne d’Arc Festival in spring.

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