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Often associated with Joan of Arc and its cathedral, Orléans actually hides many other facets. Just an hour by train from Paris, the city is an ideal destination for a car-free weekend, with its discreet heritage, omnipresent nature and unexpected experiences. Crossed by the Loire, Western Europe's last great wild river, Orleans offers a unique setting, with bike rides along the river, traditional boat trips and villages accessible by train... Here, everything invites you to slow down and explore in a different way.
Easily accessible, Orléans can be reached in around 1h to 1h20 from Paris by train (TER or Intercités). The station is located right next to the city center, so you can start exploring as soon as you arrive, without the need for additional transport.
Why choose the train over the car?
Once you're here, everything is easy to do on foot, by bike or by public transport. Orléans is a city on a human scale, perfectly suited to a car-free stay!
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There's more to Orléans than the must-sees. The city is as much about living as it is about visiting. You can start by exploring the historic center, with its timber-framed houses and lively alleyways, before soaring to the top of Sainte-Croix Cathedral (on guided tours). For a complete change of atmosphere, some tours also offer access to underground spaces and crypts, revealing another facet of the city.
But what really stands out is the Loire. Its quays, its lights, its shifting landscapes... You can stroll along it, take a rest, discover it on an electric scooter, canoe, stand-up paddle or aboard a traditional boat.
To find out more, we refer you to our complete guide:
Article
What to Do in Orléans in 2 or 3 Days: Our Complete Guide to a City Break
Orléans is a particularly pleasant destination to explore by bike. The city is located on several major cycling routes, including :
These routes take you out of the city in just a few minutes and into natural landscapes: the banks of the Loire, a shady canal, forest or countryside.
La Loire à vélo à Combleux © Max Coquard - Bestjobers
Orléans is also an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area without a car. Many destinations are easily accessible by train or bicycle:
Less well-known than the Loire, the banks of the Loiret offer a more intimate atmosphere, with peaceful, verdant landscapes, easily accessible by bike from Orléans.
La Ferté-Saint-Aubin is within easy reach of the Sologne region by train from Orléans. The château offers a number of immersive experiences to help you discover our heritage in a different way, including escape games, life-size enigma courses, and a variety of other activities. Cluedo-style investigations giant with actors which plunge visitors into a real intrigue at the heart of the estate.
Just a few kilometers from Orléans, Meung-sur-Loire is accessible by train or bike. You'll discover a castle, mills and a typical Loire atmosphere.
A charming medieval town, Beaugency is an ideal stop-off point along the Loire à Vélo. Alleys, heritage and the banks of the Loire make it the perfect day trip.
If you're planning to explore the region, the Rémi Discovery Pass can be an excellent option. It allows unlimited travel for 2 or 3 days on the trains and coaches of the Rémi network in Centre-Val de Loire (excluding Île-de-France).
Options include:
Particularly interesting for linking Orléans and the Sologne region and exploring the surrounding area without a car. More information and offers here.
Visit Rémi Pack allows you to benefit from :
In particular :
You can also explore other cities in France:
This guide is produced in partnership with the tourism office:
Train emits about 6x less CO₂ than car (2 passengers) over 111 km.
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