Orléans
Orléans is a riverside city on the Loire, known for Joan of Arc's 1429 siege relief and as a train stop before the châteaux.
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Orléans is a city on the Loire River in the Centre-Val de Loire region, about an hour by train south of Paris. Joan of Arc helped free it from English siege in 1429, and that story still shapes the old center. The Gothic Cathedral of Sainte-Croix is the city's main landmark, and the Loire quays are the place for a walk by the river. Orléans sits at the eastern end of the Loire Valley, where the châteaux begin.
Orléans suits history-minded travelers, cyclists on the Loire routes, and anyone who wants a quieter stop between Paris and the châteaux. Spring and early autumn are the easiest seasons for walking and cycling. May brings the city's Joan of Arc celebrations. Plan one to two days: one for the cathedral, the historic center and the river, and a second if you want a day trip by train to Blois or another château.
Orléans in five
- Arrive from Paris in about an hourRegional and Intercités trains run from Paris Austerlitz to Orléans in around an hour. It works as a day trip or a first night before the Loire châteaux; check the timetable, as services vary by day.
- Visit around 8 May for the Joan of Arc festivalsThe Fêtes de Jeanne d'Arc run from late April to 8 May with parades and a historical reenactment. Rooms fill, so book early or visit another week for a quieter city.
- See the cathedral and the Joan of Arc houseSainte-Croix cathedral is close to the riverfront, and the Centre Jeanne d'Arc explains the siege of 1429. Check opening days on the city's site, as hours vary.
- Ride the Loire by bikeThe Loire à Vélo route runs along the river past Orléans toward Blois and on to Nantes. Rent a bike for a day, or take the train to skip stretches.Nantes travel guide
- Add Blois by train for the châteauxBlois is about 30–40 minutes away by regional train and puts you in the heart of the châteaux. Chambord needs a bus, a taxi or a car.Blois travel guide
Things to do in Orléans
See all attractions in Orléans
Need to know
- Airport
- None nearby; Paris Orly or Charles de Gaulle, then train
- Getting there
- Train from Paris Austerlitz about 1 hr; Blois about 30–40 min
- Getting around
- Walkable center, tram and buses
- Best base
- Near the cathedral and the riverfront
- Time needed
- 1 day; 2 with Blois or a bike day
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh7°Low2°Cold, dampJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, damp
- FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°Cold, greyFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, grey
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Mild, dampMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, damp
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Spring, freshAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, fresh
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Joan of Arc fêtesMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Joan of Arc fêtes
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Warm, long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JulyPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Warm, bikesJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, bikes
- AugustPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Warm, quietAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Mild, goldenSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, golden
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Cool, autumnOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, autumn
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Cold, dampNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, damp
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Cold, short daysDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, short days
Average daily high and low in Orléans, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Orléans
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 20%
Orléans
10:14 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°6°20%Monday: Rain. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Tue11°5°3%Tuesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed10°2°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu12°1°5%Thursday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Fri14°3°13%Friday: Rain. High 14°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Sat10°5°11%Saturday: Fog. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sun12°4°40%Sunday: Rain. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 40%.
Updated 06:48 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Bloisabout 30–40 min by trainA château in the middle of town and a base for Chambord.Read the guide
- Chambordabout 45–60 min by carThe largest Loire château, in a walled park. Check ticket and parking rules.
- Chartresabout 1 hour by carA Gothic cathedral with famous stained glass.Read the guide
Before you go to Orléans
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Rules for Orléans, checked
- Many nationalities need a Schengen visa for France. Check your entry status on france-visas.gouv.fr before you book flights or trains.Source
- Non-EU travelers may have fingerprints and a photo taken at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Keep your passport ready for the check.
- Declare large sums of cash when entering or leaving the EU. Check the customs rules for food and plants on douane.gouv.fr.Source
- Service is included in French restaurant bills by law. Leaving a small extra amount or rounding up is the common custom, not a requirement.
- Dial 112 from any phone for police, fire or an ambulance. For medical help alone, you can also dial 15 for SAMU.
Plan around Orléans
Regions, cities and entry rules
Read the guideLoire Valley travel guideChâteaux, vineyards and river towns
Read the guideBlois travel guideChâteau royal, 30–40 min by train
Read the guideChartres travel guideCathedral town, about an hour by car
Read the guideParis travel guideThe capital, about an hour north
Read the guideOrléans FAQ
Is Orléans worth visiting?
For a night or a day, yes, especially if you are interested in Joan of Arc or starting a Loire bike trip. It is a regional city with a pleasant riverfront, not a headline destination.
How many days do you need in Orléans?
One day for the cathedral, the Joan of Arc sites and the riverfront. A second day if you add Blois or a bike section of the Loire à Vélo.
How far is Orléans from Paris by train?
About an hour from Paris Austerlitz, on regional and Intercités trains. Check the timetable and the ticket type before you leave.
Can you visit Orléans as a day trip from Paris?
Yes. It is an easy day, and you can see the cathedral and the Joan of Arc sites in a few hours. Stay a night if you want to continue to the châteaux or ride the Loire.
When is the Joan of Arc festival in Orléans?
From late April to 8 May each year, with the main events around 7–8 May. Confirm the program on the city's official page and book hotels early.