Old Gallo-roman city called Genabum, Orléans is rich in history. In 1429 Orleans had its finest hour. Joan of Arc, a.k.a. the Maiden of Orleans, delivered the city from the English troops. Most of the sights in present-day Orleans have a link to that event.

In the Cathedrale St-Croix you find Joan's pedestal on an altar carved with scenes from her life. The 19th century stained glass windows tell the rest of the story. The Maison de Jeanne d'Arc on Place General de Gaulle is fun for children and has loads of additional information.

The city offers lots of good shopping opportunities in a large pedestrian area in the centre that roughly runs from the Place de Gaulle to the Cathedral. In the area there are also many small restaurants, some with terrace, where you can get very good food at reasonable prices.

Orleans is just 100 km south of Paris.