Orléans on foot in 1 day – Self-guided tour + Google Maps

For tourists who want visit Orléans on foot, I share with you a tourist circuit that allows you to discover the most beautiful places in Orléans in 1 day!

En trip to paris or road trip around the Loire Valley Castles, making a day visit to Orleans is worth it!

Yes but then:

  • How to visit Orleans on foot?
  • What to visit in Orléans?
  • Where are the most beautiful sites?
  • Which walking route to see the emblematic places of Orleans?

I propose below my Orléans tourist circuit with the Google Map of the route to follow in pedestrian GPS mode!

How to visit Orléans in 1 day?

To visit Orléans in 1 day, you can choose themed guided tours offered by theOffice of Tourism. You can also take the little tourist train which goes around the historical sites telling you the history of the city.

But, in my opinion, the best way to visit Orléans is to do it on foot! Indeed, the capital of Loiret is not large and all the tourist sites concentrated between the historic center of Orleans and the banks of the Loire. It is therefore easy and pleasant to take a short route to discover them by walking!

What to visit in Orléans in 1 day?

When we talk about the city of Orleans, we necessarily think of Joan of Arc "the Maid of Orleans", an emblematic figure in the history of France and the 100 Years War.

Yes, but Orléans is not just that! In fact, Orléans also has pretty taverns on the banks of the Loire, street art, alleys with red brick facades, half-timbered houses, architectural heritage from the Renaissance era, mysterious crypts. In short, Orléans is a city full of surprises and interests!

And if you only have one day to spend in Orléans, you can still visit the city's most beautiful tourist sites:

  • Place of the Loire
  • Georges V Bridge
  • Royal Street
  • House of Joan of Arc
  • Martroi Square
  • Groslot Hotel
  • Museum of Fine Arts
  • Cathedral Sainte-Croix d'Orleans
  • Burgundy Street
  • Crypt Saint Aignan
  • Quai du Chatelet
  • Guinguette on the banks of the Loire

These are in fact all the stages of my tourist circuit to visit Orléans in 1 day on foot.

Google Maps route to visit Orléans on foot

Here is the route of my self-guided walking tour that you can follow in pedestrian GPS mode:

Day program to visit Orléans on foot

This route for visit Orléans on foot represents 3,5 kilometers of walking during the day and can be organized as follows:

  • Morning itinerary : from the Place de la Loire car park to the Musée des Beaux Arts (about 2 kilometers walk).
  • Afternoon Itinerary : from the Fine Arts Museum to the Quai du Châtelet (about 1,5 kilometers).

Orleans in 1 day – Morning tours

To make my circuit, the most practical, if you are by car, is to park in the underground car park of the Halles-Charpenterie Place of the Loire. Indeed, it is the starting point of the walk.

The George V Bridge

To start my little walking tour, without being a real visit, we have to go and see the Georges V bridge, which was once called the Pont Royal. Built from 1751, it is the oldest bridge in Orleans.

Royal Street

200 meters from the bridge, my circuit goes through Rue Royale. This lively shopping street is special for its arcades and symmetrical pavilions dating from the 18th century. All along this street, there are a succession of magnificent mansions and shops, some of which are as old as the street:

  • The Royal Chocolate Factory founded in 1760 and frequented in particular by Louis XV;
  • La Drogerie Morette, which opened in 1903;
  • The Pépin jewelry store from 1939.

The House of Joan of Arc

Continuing on rue de Bourgogne, you will arrive at the Maison de Jeanne d'Arc. But let's be clear: this is not the real house of Joan of Arc but a 1965 reconstruction of the home of Jacques Boucher where Joan of Arc was lodged for a while in 1429.

In fact, Joan of Arc lived until she was 18 in the village of Domremy on the Meuse river.

The House of Joan of Arc in Orléans is today a museum with a multimedia room, a cartography of the epic of Joan of Arc and an illustrated chronology of the heroine through the centuries.

Place du Martroi

From the House of Joan of Arc, you have to walk 5 minutes following my route to arrive at Place du Martroi.

Stopover Place du Martroi on my circuit to visit Orléans on foot
Place du Martroi Orléans Author Gilbert tps://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.fr

It is the main square of Orleans where the equestrian statue of Joan of Arc stands proudly. Inaugurated in 1855, this statue represents Joan of Arc giving thanks to God.

Statue of Joan of Arc in Orleans
Author Adam Bishop https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.fr

The Groslot Hotel

By taking rue d'Escures, you will arrive in a few minutes at the Hôtel Groslot. It is a former 16th century mansion which is a must for sightseeing in Orleans.

Orléans_Hôtel_Groslot_2 Author: Zairon license https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.fr
Orleans Hôtel Groslot Zairon license https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.fr

This magnificent group of buildings from the Renaissance period, which has served as a town hall since the revolution, can be visited free of charge.

Beaux-arts museum

You might not have time, but if you are into painting, this museum has wonderful collections of Italian, Flemish, Dutch and French paintings from all eras. This museum is just 170 meters from Hôtel Groslot.


Orleans in 1 day – Afternoon tours

After your lunch break, following my itinerary, you will arrive at the beautiful Place Sainte Croix to visit the Cathedral.

Orléans Cathedral stop on my itinerary to visit Orléans in 1 day

Cathedral Sainte-Croix d'Orleans

Ranked 5th largest Gothic Cathedral in France, it was built from 1287 and was inaugurated in 1929. To know the evolution of this Cathedral and its link with the history of France, do not hesitate to read about its Wikipedia article.

Orleans Cathedral

Burgundy Street

To reach the Crypte Saint Aignan, my itinerary will take you through the rue de Bourgogne. It is a street that is popular with those who like to party as it has many bars, pubs and restaurants. In this district, you can also admire some beautiful half-timbered houses.

Saint-Aignan Crypt

The next stop on my tourist circuit is located under the Saint-Aignan church. It is the Saint-Aignan crypt which is only accessible with a guide. I therefore recommend that you book through thetourist a guided tour of this 11th century vestige which was dedicated to the cult of the relics of Saint-Aignan, patron of Orleans.

Quai du Chatelet

From the Crypt, you will have to walk 7 minutes to reach the quai du Châtelet. This promenade runs along the Loire with a succession of restaurants and guinguettes.

Also note that you can rent an electric boat or take a nice trip on the Loire with  Boat trips and discoveries on the Loire.

Guinguette on the banks of the Loire: La Sardine

When you are on the Quai du Châtelet, I recommend that you end your day of sightseeing in Orléans with a good time: Head for the Guinguette La Sardine ! There you can have an aperitif or a bite to eat while listening to a music concert, or why not dance at a traditional ball.


Where to stay to visit Orléans on foot?

For a successful weekend in Orléans, I recommend an exceptional place ideally located for visiting Orléans on foot. No bling bling, no huge buffets with around thirty customers, no standardized rooms, no, this is accommodation with character and incredible charm!

Indeed, it is a mansion in a magnificent 18th century building which offers beautiful, well-equipped rooms.

Ideally located for visiting the city (far from neighborhoods to avoid in Orléans) and to spend a good evening in the city center, this guest house offers a refined and delicious breakfast!

Recommended B&B

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Visit Amsterdam in 2 days

Weekend in the Lisbon sun

or a New York discovery weekend

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