Orleans Audio Guided Walking Tour 1h50 and 23 Audio Comments

You now arrive in front of the famous Joan of Arc House. Destroyed in the bombings of the Second World War, it was reconstituted in 1965. Jacques Boucher, treasurer of the Duke of Orléans, will have the honors of hosting Joan of Arc from April 29 to May 9, 1429.

This large lawn cloister that you see on your left, surrounded by arcades, is Campo Santo. It is the former cemetery of the city, built in the 12th century and today classified as a historic monument.

I would just like to draw your attention to the corner of Rue de Bourgogne and Rue Parisie. The street artist Mifamosa plays with words as with mosaics and has dotted his hometown with a humorous wink.

You are at the heart of what Orleans was in the Gallo-Roman era. Archaeological excavations have confirmed the claims of Benedictine monks who claimed to have found many carved stones, certainly from ancient pagan buildings.

Here you are, facing the church of Saint-Aignan. Saint-Aignan is a super important person who will make his entrance into the great History by standing up to the terrible Attila, the leader of the Huns. They arrive to conquer Orleans after having ransacked Metz and Reims.

The banks of the Loire have been beautifully laid out to allow you to enjoy a pleasant walk along the river. Benches, deckchairs, pontoons and old boats contribute greatly to the charm of the Châtelet docks.

Following the model of several international and national cities, Orleans decided to acquire an emblem! It will be a simple “O” 3 meters high and created by Jean Dubrana.

Place du Châtelet, where you now arrive, was created in the 1880s to make room for the construction of four metal lobbies housing the Wholesale Point of Sale. At the time it was a real commercial heart and there were no fewer than 40 shops around the market halls.

I quickly draw your attention to the facade of the building on your right. Yeah, the one that's all beautiful, all sculpted. This is the home of Jean d'Alibert.

Bridges, old or new, always allow us to take a step back and have a beautiful view of the city. You have here, on one side the banks of the wild Loire with in the distance, the slender structure of the modern bridge of Europe, and on the other, the city of Orleans, its quays with the towers of the Cathedral protruding from the picture.

You are at the entrance of the city. Arriving by the George V bridge, opens up a majestic perspective to the Place du Martroi. Royal Street was breached after the construction of the new bridge.

This stone bridge you have on your right is George V Bridge. The first known bridge that crosses the Loire in Orleans dates from the Gallic era and connected the Rue du Lin behind you to that of Saint Marceau on the other bank.

Here you are in the little place Louis XI. So Louis XI, is not the best known of our long list of Louis, but know that he loved Orleans very much and lived there several times during his reign. If you look closely, you will see his statue perched on a plinth along the wall of an old church.

Yes, it is beautiful this façade of the 16th century with its alternation of Gothic and Renaissance style! As its name suggests, it is the first hostel in Orleans, the Inn des Créneaux.

On the other side of the square, you can admire what is arguably the most beautiful Renaissance building in Orleans. In 1862, the town bought this Inn built by the lawyer Philippe Cabu around 1550.

This square that opens on your right is Place de la République. We see that it is not a classical place that has been created over time. She settled on the space left by the destruction of a block necessary to break through Jeanne d’Arc Street.

The Rue Jeanne d’Arc, which opens majestically onto the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, is certainly the best known image of Orleans. And that’s right!

Here you are in front of the magnificent Groslot Inn. It was built in the 16th century by Mr Groslot, who was the bailiff of the king. The king’s bailiff is the one who represents him in a territory, to remind other local authorities such as bishops, lords or municipalities of his presence.

So we’ll get in the mood right away. In Orleans, the Rising Star is Jehanne. You know as I do that Joan of Arc delivered the city of Orleans from the siege of the English during the Hundred Years’ War and allowed Charles VII to be crowned legitimate king of France.

The Inn gardens offer you privileged access and a beautiful view of the rear façade of the Groslot Inn. With its manicured lawns and the towers of the Cathedral protruding behind the Inn, you have a nice setting to capture.

Leaving Campo Santo behind you, you have a spectacular view, on the north face of the Cathedral, absolutely splendid with its rosette and its central spire that culminates 114 meters in the sky.

It is always strange in this square built world, to find a round construction. The one you have before you is the Protestant temple of Orleans. It is one of the few round temples in France.

Now that you have seen it from all angles, let’s pause for a moment to talk a little about the beautiful Holy Cross Cathedral. Already, know that there was there, in the 4th century, at the beginning of Christianity in Orleans, a first religious building that would have stood until the 10th century.