Orléans

The large city of Orléans, with over 300,000 inhabitants, lies on the Loire River and is the capital of the Centre region and the Loire Valley. Its location south of Paris and east of Le Mans is wonderful. The Val de Loire is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well worth a visit when driving in France. The Loire is the last wild river in Europe and fascinates with its inexplicable whims. At times the river flows calmly and majestically, then rushes forward with roaring masses of water. The Loire also surprises with green islands and movable riverbanks. If you follow the river west by car, you can visit many of the famous châteaux along the river, which have made the Loire Valley so famous and legendary.

The city is best known for Joan of Arc (Virgin of Orleans), a peasant girl who heard God say she should guide the king in the war against England, which she did. She helped defeat the English at the Siege of Orléans and ultimately enabled France's victory over England. History is very important to France and French history and in Orléans you can see several monuments that pay tribute to Joan of Arc, such as the statue of Joan of Arc on horseback in Place du Martroi. You also have the opportunity to see her home, which was rebuilt after the Second World War when it was destroyed. The house has been rebuilt in its original 16th-century style on Place du General de Gaulle.