Orléans Joan of Arc Walk

Orléans is the city of Joan of Arc, and this self-guided audio walk follows her story through its streets. In 1428 and 1429 the English besieged the city, and when Joan arrived with a relief force in April 1429 the siege was lifted within days, a turning point in the Hundred Years' War. The podcast format lets you walk at your own pace through the historic centre, with commentary that explains what happened, where it happened and why it mattered. It is a good option for visitors who like their sightseeing with a narrative, and for anyone who wants to understand how the Loire shaped French history beyond the royal châteaux. The tour is inexpensive and flexible, so you can start whenever you like and stop for a coffee or a meal along the way.

Orléans lies on a bend of the Loire, about an hour from Paris by train and well placed for a day trip or a stop between Paris and the châteaux. The city was heavily damaged in the Second World War, and its centre has been rebuilt, but important buildings survive, including the great cathedral of Sainte-Croix, with its tall Gothic façade and rich interior, and the Hôtel Groslot, a Renaissance town hall.

The Maison de Jeanne d'Arc, a reconstruction of the house where she is said to have stayed, tells her story. The river itself is part of the narrative, since the siege was fought around its bridge and its islands, and the audio tour helps you picture the city as it was.

The commentary typically brings the period to life with people, places and events rather than dates alone. You learn about the English fortifications that ringed the city, the role of the local defenders and the dramatic arrival of a young peasant woman who claimed divine guidance. The story continues through her later campaigns, her capture and trial, and her legacy as a national symbol and later a saint.

Check the details when you book, including how the tour is delivered, whether it needs a mobile app, the languages offered and the length of the route. Bring headphones and wear comfortable shoes.

Orléans celebrates its heroine every year in spring, with festivals around the anniversary of the end of the siege in early May, which makes the city especially lively at that time of year. At other times it is quieter, and the walk is an easy way to spend a couple of hours.

The route can be combined with a visit to the cathedral, a stroll along the river quays, and lunch in one of the old-town restaurants. Orléans pairs well with Blois, which is a short train ride upstream, and with the nearby château towns of Sully and Gien for those who want to go further.

A little context makes the walk richer: Joan of Arc was born in the village of Domrémy, in eastern France, and at around seventeen she persuaded the future Charles VII to give her troops. Orléans was the first great victory attributed to her, and the city has honoured her ever since. A statue of Joan on horseback stands in the main square, and many streets, shops and cafés carry her name. If you have time, look in on the cathedral, where stained glass windows tell her story in colour.