Orléans and Place du Martroi
Orléans, capital of the Loiret, is centred on Place du Martroi and its equestrian statue of Joan of Arc. Sainte-Croix Cathedral, a huge Gothic silhouette, watches over the town. People like to meet near Le Martroi before heading down to the Loire, where George-V Bridge opens the view over the landscaped quays and their summer guinguettes.
In Joan of Arc’s footsteps
Joan of Arc’s House, reconstructed in the heart of old Orléans, recalls the young heroine’s visit to free the city in 1429. Each spring, the Joan of Arc festivals bring the town alive with parades and shows. A date along Rue de Bourgogne, pedestrianised and lively, extends the visit into bistros and brasseries loved by students.
Sully-sur-Loire and surroundings
A little further east, Sully-sur-Loire mirrors on the water the medieval castle of Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully and minister to Henri IV. Nearby, Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire and its Romanesque abbey offer peaceful escapes. On Lyad, members from the Loiret share their favourite outings; it is up to you to find someone to explore with.
Date ideas
- Orléans
- Sainte-Croix Cathedral
- Place du Martroi
- Joan of Arc’s House
- Rue de Bourgogne
- George-V Bridge
- Sully-sur-Loire
