Orléans

Orleans is charming! My husband and I went there in February 2009 to visit our daughter who is a student at the University. I can’t wait to go back. It was beautiful even in winter. The cobblestone streets, the architecture, the River Loire… there is more I want to see and do. We enjoyed the Art Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Museum of Jeanne D’Arc. The cathedral is breathtaking. There are many great places to eat – lots of ethnic restaurants… and the patisseries! There are no pastries like that in Kansas! It’s easy to get around in Orleans. We used the tram often, though we also walked a lot. I am looking forward to my return in July.

The tourist books bash it (one says that it “pales pitifully” in comparison to other French towns), but it’s a good place. It was home for a month and it will be home again for another 10 or 11, but it’s a good tourist destination as well. The Cathédrale de Saint Croix is a piece of architecture considered comprable only to Notre Dame de Paris, but personally I think it’s even more impressive (and it is bigger). The old part of town is a collection of cobblestone streets, bars, and bakeries, and despite what the tourist books say, it definitely has character. Also, it’s a good home-base if you want to explore the chateaux along the river Loire, of which there are many.

great place. stayed in a really nice, and cheap motel, walked everywhere. once in the old part of town it was a great place to visit. highly recommended!

its a nice town… not as fancy or touristy as Paris

i just lived and studied in Orleans during 20 years