From Paris to the Loire Valley, is it worth stopping for a day/night in Orleans? If so, what to do/see there? Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1382 posts
The Cathedral is rather modern and maybe work a peek, but otherwise so much of it was destoyed. I don't think it's worth it. Chartres, however....or even Vendome...
Posted by
Paris
7303 posts
To me, it would only be worth the stop for a medieval history buff, with the Joan of Arc connection (and even then, the House of Joan of Arc is quite the tourist trap).
It is a pleasant small city where I have been a few times to visit friends, there is nothing wrong with it really, but it just does not have that many highlights. The cathedral is certainly not in my French top-10 (I find it most beautiful seen at a distance, along the perspective of rue Jeanne d'Arc), and I never found the old town to have a particularly distinctive "flair". Other sights (botanical garden in La Source, Loiret riverbank) are much further afield and do not tip the balance.
Chartres or Le Mans would be better bets!
Posted by
Paris
10200 posts
I would spend the time either in Paris or the Loire Valley. No need to spend a night of your hard-earned vacation in Orleans.